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Missouri Compromise
In 1819, Missouri applied to become one of the slave states. Because this would alter the ratio of slave vs. free many opposed them joining. This resulted in many northern and southern congressmen going against each other. Eventually, they came to an agreement: Maine would be created and there would be no slavery in the Louisiana Purchase Territory. South of that line, Slavery could exist. -
Nat Turners Rebellion
In August of 1831, Nat Turner, a slave started an uprising throughout many plantations in southern Virginia which led to led to the killing of around 55 to 65 white people. It was the deadliest slave revolt. This resulted in 55 slaves including Nat Turner to be tried and executed. This it ignited fear in Virginia and the rest of the south and it is said to have expedited the coming of the Civil War. -
Wilmot Proviso
In 1846, its proposal to exclude slavery from territory gained from Mexico was unsuccessful. Wilmot wasn't considered an abolitionist this was due to most Democrats recognizing Polk's siding with Britain paired with his violent actions against Mexico. Which hugely symbolized his pro-southern views. He was hoping to keep black people from entering new territories as well as ensuring white settlers wouldn't have to compete with other slave planters. -
Compromise of 1850
Admitted California to the Union as a free state. This compromise also left the option of legalizing slavery in the territories of New Mexico and Utah. The territory gained after the Mexican-American war was allowed to prohibit or legalize slavery. The compromise also enacted stronger fugitive slave laws and the slave trade in the District of Columbia was abolished. This feat was very difficult to achieve and a long battle was fought. -
Fugitive Slave Act
Fugitive Slave Act required all slaves if captured, no matter if in a free/non-free state to be returned. It was also nicknamed the "bloodhound bill" after dogs who would be used to track down slaves. It heightened Northerners' fears of a slave power conspiracy. Northerners made an attempt to rescue slaves, such as killing guards. The FSA caused huge resentment in the south and only fueled the rage of the anti-slavery supporters which in turn, fueled the fire for the civil war that came after. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
This was a story of fierce attacks on slavery which related to the trials of Uncle Tom, who was a religious slave who was sold to a new owner. The new owner was very violent and abusive and eventually flogged Uncle Tom to death because he didn't reveal where the two fugitives were. The book, which was printed in 1852, sold over 300k copies. And over 2 million copies over the next 10 years. The author said that the book only scraped the surface of the violence slavery brought. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This act repealed the Missouri compromise, introducing popular sovereignty instead. It divided Nebraska into Nebraska and Kansas. Although slavery was possible in Kansas, Nebraska was too cold for plantation agriculture. Douglas believed that they could make their own decisions and was confident they would be against slavery. Signed by President Fanklin Pierce. -
Scott vs. Sanford
Dred Scott accompanied his slave master to Illinois and then to the Wisconsin territory. He later went to anti-slavery lawyers and took his case to court claiming he was free on grounds that he had resided in a free state and territory. The jury was composed of 5 southerners and 4 Northerners.
The results of the case said he was not allowed to sue due to his black origin, therefore making him an unable citizen. His stay in both the state and territory made no change in his case. -
John Brown's Raid
Brown led 18 men from Maryland to a federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry. The goal was to seize weapons and spark a slave revolt. A major flaw of this plan is that they were unable to inform the slaves of this plan. They captured the arsenal but Robert E. Lee eventually caught him and killed 10 of his men and 7 others. Brown was later tried for treason and was executed. Many people condemned him out of hand, North and South, but most saw republicans and abolitionists as one in the same. -
Election of 1860
The election was against Republican, Abraham Lincoln, and Democratic, Stephen Douglas. The main issue surrounding this election was Slave Rights and Slavery. Lincoln won the election and then had to face the struggle of families and friends having conflict which tested his leadership and resolve: The Civil War. Northerners voted for him especially because he represented their region.