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Invention of the Cotton Gin
The cotton gin was invented by Eli Whitney on October 28, 1793 to improve the production of cotton by removing its seeds. -
Misssouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was a boundary set to separate slave owning and non-slave owning states in an effort to diffuse political rivalry by Congress. -
The Liberator Published
A newspaper written by William Lloyd Garrison and Isaac Knapp that stressed that all men were created equal. -
Nat Turner's Rebellion
An uprising of slaves in Southampton County, Virginia that lead to the death of 55 to 65 people, also called the Southampton Insurrection. -
Tariff of 1828 & Nullification Crisis
South Carolina threatened to recede if imposed with the "unconstitutional and unenforceable" Tariff of 1828. -
Wilmot Proviso
A legislative bill passed to eliminate slavery within the land acquired during the Mexican War. -
Compromise of 1850
A set of laws passed in the midst of negotiations that attempted to give something to both sides. It also passed the Fugitive Slave Act which proved highly unpopular in the north. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin Publication
A novel by Harriet Beecher Stove detailing the grim life of a slave -
Underground Railroad
A network of houses and other places began by Harriet Tubman in order to smuggle slaves to freedom. -
"Bleedin Kansas"
A term used to describe the violent civil disturbances in the territory of Kansas. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The act of congress annulling the Missouri Compromise which allowed Kansas and Nebraska to determine their stance on slavery on their own. -
Brooks-Sumner Event
In Charles Sumner's speech "Crime Against Kansas" he identified two U.S. senators, one of whom was Andrew Butler, a close associate of Preston Brooks. Brooks then proceeded to later attack Sumner with his metal-tipped cane in his chambers. He resigned and was later reelected. -
Dred Scott Decision
A controversial ruling made in regards to Dred Scott, a slave seeking to be free on the basis that he had lived with his master in a free territory. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
A series of debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas that touched on slavery and its reach. -
John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry
John Brown led a small raid on the federal armory in Harper's Ferry in an attempt to arm the slaves for a revolt to bring down the institution of slavery. -
Election of 1860
Presidential election in which Abraham Lincoln beat Southern democrat John C. Breckinridge. -
Secession of Southern States
The Secession of Southern States was comprised of the series of events through December of 1860 through June of 1861 when eleven states from the Upper and Lower South severed their ties with the Union. -
Fort Sumter is fired upon
After discussions failed to resolve conflict, Confederate guns opened fire on the fort. The next day, Major Robert Anderson surrender and the fort was evacuated the next day.
