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Missouri Compromise
In an effort to preserve the balance of power in Congress between slave and free states, the Missouri Compromise was passed in 1820 admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. Furthermore, with the exception of Missouri, this law prohibited slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36° 30´ latitude line.
We could start seeing a division between the North and South. North does not want slavery to spread and this is the best solution at the time. -
Nat Turner Slave Rebellion
A rebellion of of enslaved people, led by Nathanial "Nat" Turner that ended in the death of about 55 white men. The action set off a massacre of up to 200 black people and a new wave of oppressive legislation prohibiting the education, movement, and assembly of enslaved people. The rebellion also stiffened proslavery, anti-abolitionist convictions that persisted in that region until the American Civil War. -
War with Mexico
There was an argument over where the Texas border was, either on US or Mexican territory. President of US at the time took this dispute as an excuse to start a war with Mexico. US won the war and took a lot of land from Mexico. -
Wilmot Proviso
It prohibited slavery from expanding into the newly acquired land, gained from Mexico by the US, in the Mexican-American War. South did not like this, tensions rose among north and south. -
Compromise of 1850
Washington D.C. had slavery abolished there, the Fugitive Slave Act was amended, California came in as a free state, and other laws were passed to keep tensions low. -
Fugitive Slave Act
Was a part of the Compromise of 1850 and stated that even in free states, if slaves were found, they had to be returned to their owners. The federal government was responsible for finding, returning, and holding trial for the runaway slaves. -
Publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin
The book was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe and it helped lay the groundwork for the Civil War. The book pictured the way slaves were treated and how they were perceived in the South. It opened a lot of people's eyes to how they were treated. -
Bleeding Kansas
Series of Violent Civil confrontations in Kansas, over whether slavery should be legal in the state. A lot of killed people from both sides, for and against slavery. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
After the Missouri compromise was appealed, this act gave the residents of those living in Nebraska and Kansas, to decide whether slavery should be allowed in their states or not. -
Dred Scott Decision
US Supreme Court ruled that blacks weren't citizens, therefore Dred couldn't sue. Slaves are property in their eyes. Was stated that Congress did not have the power to ban slavery from slave states. -
John Brown's Raid on HarpersFerry
John Brown and his 5 sons attempted to start a slave revolt in Southern states by taking over the US arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. No slaves joined the fight however and all his sons were killed and he was caught, only to be killed later. -
Abraham Lincoln is Elected President
One of the main reasons for the Civil War. The South feared that he would take away their slaves and they were angered. -
South Carolina Secedes
The first souther slave state to secede from the Union/US. Seceded after Lincoln was elected president. North hadn't upheld the fugitive slave act. -
Formation of the Confederate States of America
First South Carolina seceded from the Union and then all the other southern states followed suit. They formed the Confederate States of America and went against the Union/northern states. -
Fort Sumter
The Battle of Fort Sumter was the bombardment of Fort Sumter near Charleston, South Carolina by the South Carolina militia, and the return gunfire and subsequent surrender by the United States Army, that started the American Civil War. -
Antietam
This battle was a union victory. Abraham Lincoln took this as a chance to announce the emancipation proclamation, freeing slaves. This was a key turning point in the war. -
Vicksburg
The union and confederates fought here and it resulted in a union victory. This victory was big for the union because they gained control of the Mississippi River, which allowed them to transport materials and soldiers faster. -
Gettysburg
This was the bloodiest battle of the entire war, resulting in the most casualties. It was a failed attempt by the south under command of Robert E. Lee, to invade the north. Union won the battle and this battle became a turning point in the war.
