Causes of the Civil War - Thomas Anciso, Ben Chang

America's 2nd Census

Jan 1, 1800

Nearly a fifth of population filled by slaves. The growing number of slaves increases the fear of possible revolt.

Gabriel Prosser Organizes a Revolt in Richmond, Virginia

Dec 2, 1800

Though the plans were discovered and Prosser and many rebels were hanged, it was one of the first planned slave revolts.

Congress bans importation of African Slaves

Mar 2, 1807

The growing opposition to slavery in the north caused Congress to put a ban on further importing slaves.

American Colonization Society is Founded

Dec 2, 1817

Founded to help free blacks resettle in Africa-appealed for people against slavery as a means for freed blacks to live in their native homeland.

Virginia outlaws blacks and mulattos from meeting for the purposes of education and forbids teaching blacks to read and write

Dec 2, 1819

Restricts blacks from understanding the Slave Code laws and appealing to court.

Denmark Vesey plans a slave revolt in Charleston, South Carolina

Dec 2, 1822

Denmark Vesey purchased his freedom and planned a revolt, but was uncovered and hanged along with 34 conspirators.

Slavery Becomes Illegal in New York

Dec 2, 1827

Northern states strongly oppose slavery and slowly states make it illegal.

Georgia Prohibits Education of Slaves

Dec 2, 1829

Southerners fear conflict and overruling by slaves so Georgia takes the initiative to restrict them from education.

William Lloyd Garrison Publishes the Liberator

Dec 2, 1831

A weekly paper that advocates the complete abolition of slavery.

Nat Turner leads the significant slave uprising in Virginia

Dec 2, 1831

Nat Turner is captured and hanged. Virginia and the south institute stricter slave laws.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, hosts the 1st American Anti-Slavery Society Convention

Dec 2, 1833

Sixty abolitionist leaders met to bring about immediate emancipation of all slaves.

U.S. House of Representatives Adopts a "Gag Rule"

Dec 2, 1836

Faced with a deluge of abolitionist petitions, the U.S. House of Representatives adopts a "gag rule" by which abolitionist materials are automatically tabled. The rule is renewed numerous times- slavery cannot be brought up as an issue in Congress.

The Georgia Legislature Declares That It Will Never Recognize Free Blacks as Citizens

Dec 2, 1842

Impose resoluteness of being a slave state.

The Wilmot Proviso

Dec 2, 1846

David Wilmot, representative of Pennsylvania, attempts to ban slavery in territory gained from Mexico.

Compromise of 1850 establishes a stricter Fugitive Slave Law

Dec 2, 1850

Government still finds slaves to be property of slaveholders.

Fugitive Slave Act grows stricter

Dec 2, 1850

gradual tension between the South and North, South grows more resentful of abolitionism.

Sojourner Truth gives her famous "Ain't I a Woman" speech

Dec 2, 1851

at the Women's Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio- merges the issue of women’s rights with abolitionism.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Dec 2, 1852

Depicted southern planters as brutal antagonists to the slaves.

Proslavery groups in Kansas attack the free soil town of Lawrence

Dec 2, 1856

Radical abolitionist John Brown and his followers strike in retaliation, initiating a wave of violence and destruction, known as "Bleeding Kansas

U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Dred Scott v. Sanford denies citizenship to all slaves

Dec 2, 1857

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Dred Scott v. Sanford denies citizenship to all slaves, ex-slaves, and descendants of slaves and denies Congress the right to prohibit slavery in the territories.

John Brown attacks Harpers Ferry, Virginia

Oct 1, 1859

John Brown, an abolitionist, and a small army attempt to take over the arsenal in Virginia to help the slaves rise in revolt. John Brown is captured and hanged for treason.

Congress repeals the Missouri Compromise

Dec 2, 1859

Opening western territories to slavery.