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Missouri Compromise
There was a dispute in the states on the issue of slavery, what states should have slaves and what states shouldn't. The Missouri comprimise solved this problem, at least temporarily. It was agreed that Maine would have no slaves, while slaves would be allowed in Missouri. This law also prohibited slavery in the Louisiana territory above the 36, 30 latitude line (with the exception of Missouri). However, In 1823, this law was stated unconstitutional. http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Mis -
Mexican War
This was the declaration of war on Mexico that lasted for 2 years. It was the result of the 1845 annexation of Texas to America, because Mexico thought that land was theirs to keep, regardless of the Texas Revolution of 1836. The United States captured Mexico city, forcing Mexico to relinqush their northern territories to the U.S. -
Comprimise of 1850
Henry Clay, A senator from Kentucky, was determined to find a solution to the dispute between the north and the south. He proposed that Texas be given $10 million for the land in question, the terriotories in this land be formed without mention of slaves. in the Capitol of Washington DC, there would be no slave trade, California would be formed as a slave-free state, and the fugitive slave act would be passed.
Comprimise of 1850. 30 Jan 2011. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2951.html -
Publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin
This anti-slavery novel was written be Harriet Beecher Stowe. It was the best-selling novel of the 19th century, and the second-best selling book, following the bible. It stirred abolitionist thoughts in the US, and, according to Abraham Lincoln, started the War. -
Attack of Lawrence, Kansas
In the morning, 800 pro-slave advocates gathered at the southern border of Lawrence, Kansas. Their goal was to find a reason to attack this anti-slavery settlement, and apparently they suceeded.
The town was burned, ransacked, and pillaged. This was all in an effort to sway the people of Kansas to become a pro-slave state. -
Attack at Pottawatomie Creek
In a response to the Sacking of Lawrence, KS, John Brown (shown) lead a group of abolitionists to the Settlement at Pottawatomie creek. He then proceeded to hack 5 settlers to death, infront of their families, with the help of his followers. -
The Raid of Harper's Ferry
John Brown led a group of 21 men to the town of Harper's Ferry in a raid on the arsenal. He hoped to use the captured weapons for a slave uprising in the south, but was captured and tried for treason on the State of Virginia, found guilty and hanged in nearby Charles Town. -
South Carolina Secedes
On this day, South Carolina voted to seceed from the Union. They had attempted this once before, in 1832, with the Tariff crisis. However, they had no support from the south and backed off. In 1860, within 2 weeks of South Carolina's Secession, nearly all of the deep south followed suit. -
Abraham Lincoln's Inauguration
In his address, Abraham Lincoln pleaded the south in saying, "We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies." He was hoping to avoid the conflict between the North and South over slavery, which eventually became the Civil war. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
The bombing and surrender of Fort Sumter by Charlestown, SC. This battle started the civil war, and was the first crisis in the administration of Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln's call for 75,000 volunteers to supress the rebellion caused 4 state to join the Confederacy, and the Civil war had officially begun.
