-
Missouri Compromise
It preserved the balance between slave states and free states. It also helped with the Sectionalism. -
Compromise of 1850
California would enter as a free state, but new territories would have no limits on slavery. The slave trade, not slavery, would be banned in Washington, D.C. The fugitive slave law was pushed to be stronger. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Stephen A. Douglas proposed organizing the territories west of Missouri Kansas and Iowa with their settlers to vote whether to be pro-slavery or antislavery. This is popular sovereignty. Border ruffians crossed the Kansas border from Mississippi to vote it a slave state. -
"Bleeding" Kansas
A big fight broke out in Kansas about pro-slavery and antislavery. -
Dred Scott Decision
When Scott's master died, he sued for freedom. In 1857, Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Taney said that since he was a slave, and slaves were property, he could not be free, since that would be taking property away from someone. -
Lincoln Douglas Debates
Numerous debates mainly about slavery. Douglas said people could end slavery by refusing to pass laws. -
Raid on Harper's Ferry
Abolitionist John Brown led a group raid. He hoped to start a revolution against slaveholders. He targeted an arsenal, and killed five men. some saw him as a murderer, and others saw him as a martyr. -
Election of Lincoln
The Republican Lincoln was elected president. He said slavery should remain where it exists but not to new territories. This led to the South thinking about secession. On Dec. 20, 1860, S.C. voted to secede from the Union. -
Lincoln Inaugural Address
it was mainly towards the seceding states, and it was about how the Union would be forever. He held federal property in the South,and enforced the laws of the US. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
Lincoln led an unharmed expedition to Fort Sumter to fill up supplies. Davis made a fateful choice by firing on them.Fort Sumter surrendered on April 14.