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Missouri Compromise
Rule on how to let new states be free or slave. -
Nat Turner Slave Rebellion
Slave Rebellion in Southampton Country Virginia led by Nat Turner, but ultimately failed and led to harsher slave laws. -
War of Mexico
First US war on foreign soil. War was fought over land and was a US victory. US gained most of the southwest from Mexico. -
Wilmot Proviso
Wilmot Proviso was an issue from Pennsylvanian Representative that stated that slave expansion was prohibited in all land and territories gained from Mexican War. This was ultimately not passed. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was made to dissolve political tension between slave and free states. Made California a free states and let Utah and New Mexico decide for themselves and also created the fugitive slave act to appease the South. -
Fugitive Slave Act
This Act was passed to appease Southerners and granted them the ability to go north into free states and take back their runaway slaves. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin was a book published in 1852 depicting a southern plantation and the reality of slave life. Uncle Tom's Cabin became a best seller and was eye opening for many. The South banned this book. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
The Kansas Nebraska Act was an act passed by the US congress and let Kansas and Nebraska decide for themselves on wither or not they will free or slave states (popular sovereignty). This led to mass voter fraud from bordering states, riots and looting. This is known as bleeding Kansas. -
Dred Scott Decsition
Dred Scott was an African American slave who sued for his freedom after his enslaver had brought him to a free state. A court case ensued and the verdict was that even though he was in a free state, he was still not a U.S citizen and had no rights and was still to be a slave. -
John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry
John Brown was an abolitionist who attempted a raid on Harpers Ferry Virginia Armory and wished to use the weapons to cause a slave revolt. His plan ultimately failed and he and all of his sons were killed. He was a martyr for the norther and a terrorist for the south. -
Lincolns Election
In November of 1860, Abraham Lincoln, a lawyer from Springfield Illinois ran for president for the republican party and won against Hannibal Hamlin, a former vice president. -
South Carolina Secedes
Only 2 months after Lincolns Election, The South Carolina Legislature declared that the bonds that connect themselves with the other states and the Union are dissolved. They left because the free states did not enforce the fugitive slave act, overall tension, and Lincolns election was the final straw that broke the camels back. -
Formation of the Confederate States of America
By February of the next year, there were representatives from South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and later Texas met in Montgomery, Alabama to form the Confederate States of America. -
Bleeding Kansas
Bleeding Kansas was a rough time in American history. From 1855-1861 Kansas was still trying to decide if they were to be a free or slave state. They were to vote by popular sovereignty, but thousands of fake votes flooded in from bordering states who were trying to influence the election. There was riots and protests and looting and bloodshed. On January 29 1861, Kansas was part of the union as a free state. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter was a Union fort right off the coast of South Carolina. On April 12 1861, Confederate forces bombarded the Fort with cannons for 22 hours and the Union forces surrender with no casualties. This act turned the Union Confederacy tension into a full on war. -
Antietam
On September 17th 1862 in Sharpsburg Maryland, America would have its most bloody battle in all of its history. With 23000 soldiers dead, wounded or missing, it resulted in a stale mate, but the Union clamed it as a victory. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was an enormous 170,000 man and 3 day battle in rural Pennsylvania, and was the turning point of the war. Robert E. Lee's plan to invade the north failed, and all battles following this would be fought on southern ground. -
Battle of Vicksburg
The Battle of Vicksburg was an important and decisive victory for the Union. The victory gave the North the control over the Mississippi River, cutting the confederacy in half and giving them a great trade and supply route. This is also a reason for the turning point in the war. -
Appomattox Courthouse
The Appomattox Courthouse marks the last battle of the civil war, and the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee to Union Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant.
