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Uncle Tom's Cabin
Harriet-Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin, which depicted the life of the fictional Uncle Tom, as he lived in the south during slavery. This book increased the political divide in the nation, since it offered a negative depiction of slavery hated by the south, while selling rapidly in the north. -
Republican Party
Former Whig Party members made the Republican Party to stop slavery in the US. The main incident that led to the formation was the presidency of Andrew Jackson, since they were mad about his handling of slavery in the Union -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
It repealed the Missouri Compromise, which would allow popular sovereignty in Kansas and Nebraska, causing mass migration to these states. The increase in the population of the states led to more interaction of opposing sides, which resulted in Bloody Kansas. -
Bloody Kansas
A series of guerilla wars erupted between the abolitionists and the pro-slavery forces in Kansas, primarily because of the Kansas-Nebraska act. This led to increased debates around the country about the issue of slavery. John Brown was included in these wars, as he led the Pottawatomie raid that resulted in death and injury. With over 50 people being killed across the conflicts, the two sides grew even farther apart, especially in Kansas. -
Brooks Sumner Incident
Pro-slavery representative Preston Brooks attacked the abolitionist Charles Sumner with a cane while in session in Congress. Brooks beat Sumner with the cane until it broke. This increased tensions between the two sides, particularly in Congress, but across the nation as a whole. -
Election of 1856
In the presidential election of 1856, James Buchanan was elected president over the incumbent president Millard Fillmore. This was the first time in US history where the incumbent president was beaten when running for office again. This was significant that a pro-slavery president was elected, because regardless of his skill at negotiating, the change in agendas further continued to drive the nation apart. -
Dred Scott
In 1857, the Supreme Court ruled against Dred Scott, an African American man who wanted to be free from his owner. They said that a black man cannot be a citizen, and the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional, reversing the idea that states could have popular sovereignty when it comes to slavery. This was a major victory for the south, which increased resentment among northerner abolitionists. -
House Divided Speech
Abraham Lincoln gave this speech in 1858, which he stated that compromises concerning slavery were unproductive, and that slavery would have to be completely eradicated in order to have a free and united nation. He said that a house divided against itself could not stand, and that the division the country had experienced would cause the destruction of the Union. This speech was a result of his victory for the Republican nomination, and would also increase his supporters in the north. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
These debates were held while both Lincoln and Douglas were running for the Senate seat for Illinois. These debates were very intense, as it saw two people on opposing sides of the slavery debate. It is in these debates that Douglas proposed the Freeport Doctrine, which allowed him to win the state seat, but ultimately cost him the election for President, which led to Lincoln's administration. -
Lecompton Constitution
This constitution was proposed by pro-slavery advocates, and it stated that Kansas would protect slavery in the state, as well as prohibit slaves from becoming citizens in the state. It was rejected in the state, and never went into effect. However, this was a major attempt by the south to increase their control in the western states. This led to boycotts from the abolitionist movement, increasing hostility in Kansas. -
Harpers Ferry
John Brown attacked an armory in Harpers Ferry, in order to start a slave rebellion. They took the armory successfully, but when word spread, they were forced to surrender the next day by the US military. Although they ultimately failed, the abolitionists were inspired by Brown's bravery in his attempts to free slaves, and increased the anger against southerners. -
John Brown's Execution
After his failed raid on Harpers Ferry, John Brown was tried for treason and was found guilty. He was sentenced to execution. Before he was executed, he handed a note to a guard, which stated that the fight over slavery could only result in bloodshed. This was a prediction of the Civil War, and his death resulted in the north treating him like a martyr, increasing hatred for the south, and the pro-slavery cause. -
Election of 1860
After Douglas offered his infamous freeport doctrine, the Democratic Party completely split, with one side supporting the nominee, and the other resenting his anti-slavery sentiments. This allowed Abraham Lincoln to ultimately win the election. This showcased the political divide in the US had reached an irreversible point, and was the final straw before the south finally seceded from the Union. -
Secession
On December 20, 1860, seven states broke off from the Union, in order to protect slavery from being eradicated across the US. They formed the Confederacy, which eventually consisted of eleven states, including half of Virginia. This is significant because it was the event that would start the Revolutionary War, as President Lincoln would send troops into Confederate territory to end the rebellion. -
Lincoln's first inaugural address
His inaugural address showcased how Lincoln was willing to negotiate with the south in order to come to an understanding, but he was also willing to send the federal military to squash the rebellion if necessary. This was the start of the Civil War, because Lincoln was prepared to go to war if the south didn't rejoin the Union.