A Timeline of Slavery

By laurenmarleen

  • Revision of the Articles of Confederation

    Men from twelve states met in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. It was at one of these meetings that James Madison’s plan for a new national government was proposed.

  • The Final Draft of the Constitution Finished

    The final draft of the Constituion was read to the 42 delegates, 39 of those delegates signed it.

  • Ratification of the Constitution

    New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the constitution, putting it into effect.

  • The Missouri Compromise

    The Missouri Compromise was passed, in which it stated the Missouri was a slave state and Maine was a slave state in order to keep the balance of power between free and slave states. This law also prohibited slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36° 30´ latitude line.

  • The Missouri Compromise Is Declared Unconstitutional

    The Missouri Compromise was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in the Dred Scott decision, which ruled that Congress did not have the authority to prohibit slavery in the territories.

  • California Requests Entry In The Union

    California requested permission to enter the Union as a free state, which could upset the balance between free and slave states

  • Compromise of 1850

    Senator Henry Clay introduced the Compromise of 1850, in which the Fugitive Slave Act was amended and the slave trade in Washington, D.C., was abolished. Furthermore, California entered the Union as a free state and a territorial government was created in Utah. Also, an act was passed settling a boundary dispute between Texas and New Mexico that also established a territorial government in New Mexico.

  • Kansas-Nebraska Act

    Kansas-Nebraska Act enacted to establish the territorial boundaries of Kansas and Nebraska and opened the land to legal settlement. It also repealed the Missouri Compromise and introduced the idea of popular sovereignty.

  • Massacre At Pottawatomie Creek

    The massacre at Pottawatomie Creek took place, in which a man named John Brown and his sons killed five pro-slavery advocates

  • Dred Scott v. Sanford Decision

    The Supreme Court issued its decision Dred Scott v. Sandford, which declared that slaves were not citizens of the United States and therefore could not sue in Federal courts. It also declared that Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional and that Congress did not have the authority to prohibit slavery in the territories.

  • The Battle of Paint Creek

    James Montgomery and his men fought U. S troops stationed at Fort Scott in the battle of Paint Creek. One soldier was killed in this encounter.

  • Marais des Cygnes Massacre

    James Montgomery and his men drove pro-slavery forces from Linn County. In retaliation, eleven free-staters were pulled out of their homes, taken to a ravine and shot down. This incident, known as the Marais des Cygnes Massacre was rumored to have been plotted in the Western Hotel.

  • Montgomery Tries To Burn Down Western Hotel

    Montgomery and his raiders tried to burn down the Western Hotel. Several shots were fired into the hotel and surrounding homes, but the hotel was saved.

  • Gov. of Kansas Holds Peace Meeting At Western Hotel

    The Govener of Kansas held a meeting at the Western Hotel in order to settle political unrest. While this meeting nearly broke out into a riot, it was successful. Peace and quiet reigned for a brief five-month period.

  • Montegomery Rescues Benjamin Rice

    Montgomery rescued Benjamin Rice, a free-soiler. Rice had been arrested for murder and was imprisoned in the Fort Scott Hotel. Montgomery claimed that he was jailed illegally, so he came to Fort Scott to free him.

  • Raid At Harpers Ferry

    John Brown attempted the unsuccessful raid at Harpers Ferry.

  • Lincoln Wins Presidency

    The date on which Abraham Lincoln beat out Stephen Douglas, John Breckinridge, and John Bell for the presidency.

  • Kansas Enters Union

    Kansas entered into the Union as a free state

  • Abraham Lincoln Issues Emancipation Proclamation

    Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation which set the goal of to creating a new Union without slavery and which also authorized the recruitment of African Americans as Union soldiers.