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Compromise of 1850
Henry Clay propose that California would enter the union as a free state, slave trade would be abolished, slave owner could reclaim runaway slaves and decisions of acquired territory from Mexico would be up to local white men. This was important because it held the union together at that point in time. -
Fugitive Slave Law
This law forced slaves to be returned to their owner even if they ran away and lived in the North. This law forced white to alert the authorities when they saw free black people, this act gave southerns a tight leash on slaves and slavery. This act resulted in man slaves running to Canada, which was a place that they could be free and not be worried about being returned to their owner. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin publication
Uncle Tom's Cabin was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. This book shined a light on slavery, brought up issues of slavery and exposed the harsh treatment of slaves. This book as furthered the abolitionist cause in the North. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854
This act allowed the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decided whether pro slavery or not (idea of popular sovereignty). The Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed to reduce the tensions between the North and South. This was a step towards the beginning of the Civil War. -
Birth of the Republican Party
About 30 men created this party with the intention of stopping the spread of slavery. They were against the nullification of the Missouri Compromise, and Kansas-Nebraska Act. The Republican Party was significant since it was the main opposing party against the Democratic Party, and also the party oversaw things like the preservation of the Union and the end of slavery. -
Brooks attacks Sumner in senate
Brooks attacked Sumner due to the things Sumner said in his speech two days before. Sumner was denouncing the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and argued that Kansas should be admitted as a free state and discussed the crimes against Kansas. This attack showed an increasing political tension between the North and South. -
Dred Scott v. Sanford
The ruling was that Scott and his family were property and the gov't couldn't give them thier freedom because congress lacked the power to ban slavery in U.S. territories. This was significant since it seemed to validate the South's ideas and tensions between the North and South rose. -
John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry
(Oct.16-18, 1859) John Brown (was an abolitionist and wanted for treason after the raid and was later killed) and his follower captured prominent citizens and seized federal armory and arsenal. Brown hoped slaves would join the raid and with the weapons fight for their freedom. This was significant since this was one of the few times you saw whites and blacks fighting together for the freedom slaves. -
Election of 1860
The main nominees were Lincoln, Breckinridge, Bell and Douglas and in the end Lincoln won. This is significant since Lincoln won and brought his anti-slavery views with him. The election had a terrible effect on the Democratic Party and was one of the causes of the Civil War. -
Shots fired at Fort Sumter,SC
The South tried to cede and become the Confederate States of America, and Lincoln said they couldn't. So the confederacy launched an attack. This event is significant since this was the beginning of the Civil War.
