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Zachary Taylor becomes president
Zachary Taylor, the Whig candidate, becomes president. Those who opposed slavery created the Free-Soil party. -
The California Gold Rush
From 1848 to 1852, the presence of gold in California caused people, mostly men, to flock to California hoping to become rich. The gold rush also attracted many Chinese immigrants and led to forced labor of Native Americans. The large number ofpeople in California made the territory eligible for statehood, which led to many other problems. -
Taylor dies and is replaced by Millard Fillmore
Millard Fillmore supported the Compromise of 1850 and was able to convince Northern Whigs to accept it. -
Compromise of 1850 enacted
This caused and exhibited the sectional tensions in the United States, over slavery as well as economic intrest. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act becomes law
Though this plan is supported by many Southerners, it eventually results in events that contributed to the beginning of the Civil War. It destroyed the Whig party, divided the Democratic party, and led to the creation of the Republican party. -
John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry
Many Southerners belived this raid had Republican support. This caused them to fear that slavery was in danger. -
Abraham Lincoln Elected President
Abraham Lincoln is elected president of the United States. This causes southern states to fear the abolotion of slavery, as they view Lincoln as an abolitionist. -
South Carolina secedes from the Union
SC seceedes because of their fears of the abolition of slavery caused by Lincoln being elected President. -
Confederate States of America is formed
At this point, made up of South Carolina,Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. This secession was caused by sectional tensions over man years and led to the declaration of the civil war. -
Emancipation Proclaimation signed
This freed the slaves in slave states and made the Civil War a war about slavery. -
Freedmen's Bureau established
Gave help to many freed slaves after the war. -
Civil War ends
