Ms. Penn's 10 Things that Caused the Civil War

The U.S. Constitution

Sep 17, 1787

The Constitution was meant to explain how Americans would enjoy life in a free country, but it made our leaders hypocrites. William Lloyd Garrison was just one abolitionist who fought to give everyone in America freedom and rights.

The U.S. banned the slave trade

Mar 2, 1807

No more slave trade. Psych!This did not stop people from buying and selling humans though.

Uncle Tom's Cabin was published

Mar 20, 1852

Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote a best selling book about the horrible life of a slave.

Beatdown of Senator Sumner

May 20, 1856

Senators scuffle over slavery.

Dred Scott denied freedom

Mar 6, 1857

Dred Scott wanted to be free.Dred Scott fought to be freed from slavery because he traveled through free states. His case went all the way to the Supreme Court, but the government said that he could not be an American citizen and it could not tell masters how to handle their propety (slaves).

The Fugitive Slave Act

Mar 7, 1857

No one is safe from slavery.

John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry

Oct 16, 1859

John Brown led a troop of abolitionists to fight for freedom by force.

Abe Lincoln was elected president of the United States.

Nov 6, 1860

Abraham Lincoln accepted the challenge of keeping our country together when he became the nation's leader.

The South begins suceeding

Dec 20, 1860

Southern states chose to leave the U.S. and

Bloody Kansas

May 19, 1862

Leaders try to keep the peace between pro-slavery & abolitionist Americans.