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Abolitionist Movement
The abolitionist movement describes a time period where more and more people started to organize strategically against slavery, devoting their entire lives to the cause in many cases. By the 1830’s, the abolitionist population already had weight, but with Uncle Tom’s Cabin and other laws being passed, the power of the abolitionist force reached its peak during the 50’s. These highly passionate people would not rest until slavery was carved out of existence, even if it meant starting a war. -
Missouri Compromise
The missouri compromise was a decision passed by president henry clay in order to present a fair solution to the northern and southern desire for the western territories. This division of land satisfied each side initially, but the possibility of greater control going to either the north of the south was one of many more events that steepened the tension which would eventually cause the war. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The fugitive slave act was a huge issue from the moment it was passed in 1850. It declared that all runaway slaves must be returned to their masters if found, and that citizens must assist in reporting and tracking down said slaves. With the lack of identification available, the law made it possible for any black person, even if they had never been a slave before in their lives, susceptible to being captured and brought back to the South. This law produced bounty hunters and slave catchers who w -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom’s Cabin was a novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, appearing in newspaper in ‘51 and in book-form in ‘52. It was extremely controversial, by presenting a ‘real-life’ perspective of slavery that the South had been trying to cover up for years. The book became a national and international seller in the span of just two years. This ‘exposure’ was huge blow to the proponents of slavery, and was another contributor to tension that would eventually lead to the civil war. -
John Brown and Bleeding Kansas
In 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska act was passed, which meant that the borders of Kansas would be determined by popular sovereignty. This caused a surge of pro and anti-slavery Americans to migrate into the state, hoping to tip the scales of the population in their own party’s favor to gain control of the slavery decision. Inevitable violence broke out, with the anti-slavery side being lead by abolitionist John Brown. The short but bloody bout caused great hatred between the two sides - hatred that w -
Dred Scott Decision
The Dred Scott Decision was a case ruling by the supreme court made in 1857. Scott left Missouri with his master to live in free states Illinois and Wisconsin, before returning to Missouri later - a slave state at the time. Scott thought that living in these free states should qualify him as a free man, so he sued his master and took his case to the supreme court. The supreme court decided against Scott with a 7-2 vote. This case set a precedent that any person with a drop of African blood could -
Election of 1860(Part 1)
Abraham Lincoln emerged victorious in the election of 1860 as the North’s choice for president. Lincoln won on a popular vote of just 40%. The southern states were very unhappy with the results of the election, with South Carolina seceding from the Union a few weeks later. The main fear of the south was that the election of Lincoln would lead to the gradual but unstoppable abolishing of slavery. Both parties were aware of this, which increased the tension dramatically. -
Election of 1860(Part 2)
This was the final step that caused the civil war begin. The Southern secessions that followed caused the North to fight to reunite the country, and the south fought to keep themselves separated. -
Southern Secession
Southern secession was the last straw that ultimately caused the civil war to start. The tension between the North and South had already been established, this was the event that caused pot to boil over once and for all.The Secession gave each side something to fight for - the North wanted to preserve the Union, and the South wanted to be on their own and keep slavery. The war would officially start on April 12, 1861.
