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Compromise of 1850
Washington D.C. was required to end slave trade but at that time slavery was still legal. But California was admitted a free state. -
Fugitive Slave Act of 1850
Anybody who tried and help out the run aways would be put in prison for up to 6 months in prison, the north felt that this was a way of expanding the power of slavery. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin 1852
Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book sold 300,000 copies in the first year and over 2 million copies within the five years. Many joined the abolitionist movement after learning the harsh realities of life as a slave -
Kansas Nebraska Act 1854
It allowed each territory to decide the issue of slavery on the basis of popular sovereignty. “Bleeding Kansas” is violently torn in half for years between pro slave/anti slave. -
Dred Scott Decision 1857
Supreme Court ruled that Dred Scott was property and not a citizen and had no right to sue.•The ruling declared that the Missouri Compromise prohibiting slavery in the Northern territories was unconstitutional. -
Harper’s Ferry 1859
Brown leads a group of men to attack the weapons at Harpers Ferry. The goal is to gain control of the weapons. -
Lincoln’s Election 1860
Lincoln was the only candidate that was against slavery. He won, but the election showed that the country was divided. •No southern states voted for Lincoln. Lincoln’s election pushed the nation to the brink of war. -
Attack on Ft. Sumter 1861
Ft. Sumter was a federal fort in South Carolina, Fort nearly out of food/ ammunition and badly outnumbered. Surrendered the fort to the Southern Army. •President Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers.