In March 1857, after almost all Northern states had voted, the Supreme Court issued its infamous Dred Scott decision, amplifying tensions and hardening voter divisions.

Southern voters widely drove the American Party from office, rallying to the Democrats in firm opposition to the Republicans.

Between the admissions of Vermont in 1791 and Wisconsin in 1848, Congress had admitted new states roughly in pairs: one slave, one free.

Admission of Minnesota in May 1858, also alone but with no such deal, helped expose the declining influence of the South, destroying the formerly binding concept that slave and free state power was best kept in balance even in the Senate while solidifying a sense that the West would exclude slavery.

George L. Becker lost in the drawing of lots to decide who would present their credentials, therefore he did not serve in Congress.