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Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso was proposed by David Wilmot around the end of the Mexican-American War. This legislations goal was to outlaw slavery in any territory gained from Mexico. Wilmot gave attempt after attempt to try and get this legislation approved; this caused the south states that needed slavery to talk seriously about secession. -
The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise 1850 allowed the addition of California into the US. The problem lies in if it becomes a slave state or not. The government decided that popular sonvereignty was going to take place. The Compromise also established far stricter Fugitive slave laws. This legislation further incensed the south and increased hostility. -
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
This book was a particular hit amoung the Northerns. It greatly dramatizes the slave experience, while also propping up the abolitionist movement. In the South it was greatly castigated and ferociously attacked, along with its writer, Harriet Stowe. -
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Kansas - Nebraska Act
This Act allowed the Kansas and Nebraska territories decide with popular sovereignty whether or not they became slave areas or not. Both pro and anti slavery people flocked to the territories to be apart of the decision, violence erupted all across the states, and gained the title Bleeding Kansas. -
Dried Scot Case
Dried Scot was a Virginian slave who tried to sue for his freedom. The Supreme Court ruled that since he was a slave he was property, thus having no right any human rights. The justices claimed that since he was property that he had no right to freedom. -
Lincoln Douglas Debates
The Lincoln Douglas debates was a serires of seven debates across Illinois on the most controversial topic in the time, slavery. Douglas won the senate race, but this drew attention on Lincoln, thus launching him into being nominated for presidency/ -
John Brown Raid
John Brown was a abolitionist that was all for the violent aspect of the conflict. At nighttime in October they attempted to raid a federal amory and arsenal in Harpers Ferry Virginia. The goal was to distribute the weapons to slaves and other abolitionist for an armed insurrection. -
Abraham Lincoln Election
Lincoln was elected by a significant majority, even though he wasn’t in many of the southern ballots. His anti-slavery agenda caused a lot of fear for many southerns. -
Sesession of the South
The sessesion of the 11 southern states was the proximate cause of Civil War. This includes its attack on Fort Sumter -
Attack on Fort Sumter
The first battle of the Civil War was on Fort Sumter in South Carolina, which lasted 36 hours. The Union soldiers there had no choice but to surrender, less they all be killed.