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Uncle Tom's Cabin
This was a highly popular book that was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. She wrote about the story of a slave and the cruel treatment that they faced at the hands of their master. When the book was published in 1852, 10,000 copies were sold within the first week. -
Bloody Kansas
Pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces faced each other in Kansas, where bloodshed between the two groups occurred. This was also known as a pre-civil war. -
Republican Party
The Republican Party was founded in 1854. The party surpassed the Whig Party and became the Democratic Party's opposing party. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The people that lived in Kansas and Nebraska were allowed to determine whether they wanted to be a slave or free state through popular sovereignty. This act served as an repeal to the Missouri Compromise. -
Election of 1856
The Democratic candidate won this election (James Buchanan). "This election was known as one of the most bitter in American history and the first in which voting was divided along rigid sectional lines." -
Brooks-Sumner Incident
Senator Brooks beats Charles Sumner on the Senate floor. This was in retaliation for an anti-slavery speech in which Sumner attacked Brook's cousin. -
LeCompton Constitution
It was a document made in LeCompton, Kansas by the pro-slavery forces. It contained a bill of rights and clauses that protected slavery. -
Dred Scott
Dred Scott is mainly known for his case against Stanford. He was a slave in Missouri who had lived in free territory for a period of time, upon returning to Missouri he claimed that since he lived in free territory for that time he was a fee man. The Court ruled against Scott, because slaves were considered property. -
Lincoln Douglas Debates
A series of debates between Abraham Lincoln (Republican candidate) and Stephen Douglas (Democratic Party). They wanted to address slavery and territory. -
House Divided Speech
This was a speech given by Abraham Lincoln where he talked about the issues that the nation faced because of opposing views between the political parties. He stated: "A house divided against himself cannot stand." -
Harper's Ferry
John Brown raided Harper's Ferry in hopes of gaining weaponry for his slave uprisings. He was hoping to start a slave revolt. -
John Brown
John Brown was an abolitionist who started slave revolts in order to try to have the slaves fight for their freedom. He made his last speech in a courtroom in 1859. -
Election of 1860
The Republican candidate (Abraham Lincoln) defeated the Democratic candidate (Stephen Douglas). Lincoln only had 39.9% of the popular vote however he manages to receive 180 electoral college votes. -
Secession
11 states succeeded from the Union after president Abraham Lincoln was elected. The states that succeeded were Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, Louisiana and Texas. -
Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
His inaugural address was "stirring." He wanted the Union to be preserved and he promised to not use force to maintain slavery and that the slave states would be left alone.