Causes of the Civil War By Bradley.Vellis Period: 1820 to 1862 Events Leading to the Civil War Mar 1, 1820 Missouri Compromise of 1820 Jan 29, 1850 Compromise of 1850 Sep 18, 1850 Fugitive Slave Act Period: 1854 to 1859 Bleeding Kansas May 30, 1854 The Kansas-Nebraska Act Mar 6, 1857 The Dred Scott Decision Oct 16, 1859 John Brown and the Harpers Ferry Raid Nov 6, 1860 The Election of 1860 Period: Apr 12, 1861 to Apr 13, 1861 The Battle of Fort Sumter