Road to the Civil War

  • Millard Filmore

    The death of President Zachary Taylor resulted in the succession of vice president Millard Fillmore.
  • Compromise of 1850

    The debate over whether territory attained during the Mexican War should be open to slavery was settled.
  • Uncle Tom's Cabin

    The novel had an immense effect on attitudes toward African Americans and slavery in the United States. It helped to lay the groundwork for the Civil War.
  • Kansas-Nebraska Act

    The act not only applied “popular sovereignty” to Louisiana Purchase territory north of Missouri Compromise line but also established two new territories.
  • Bleeding Kansas

    Settlers fought in Kansas over the issue of slavery. A pro-slavery mob burned a hotel and ransacked properties.
  • Dred Scott Decision

    The decision widened the North-South divide by threatening to entirely recast the political landscape that had thus far managed to prevent civil war.
  • Lincoln-Douglas Debates

    Lincoln and Douglas engaged in multiple public debates across the state of Illinois where they debated the most prominent issue of the antebellum era: slavery.
  • John Brown's Raid

    Abolitionist John Brown and his followers captured federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry in an attempt to spark a slave revolt.
  • Presidential Election

    Abraham Lincoln was elected president on platform barring slavery from western territories.
  • Battle of Fort Sumter

    The first battle of the American Civil War. President Lincoln sent in troops to suppress rebellion and force the Southern states to rejoin the Union.

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