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Eli Whitney patents the Cotton Gin
When the Cotton Gin was invented, it essentially brought slavery back into the picture, whereas before it was almost gone for good. This was just the very beginning. -
The Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state. The only problem here was that it upset the balance of free and slave states. Therefore, Maine separated from Massachusetts and entered as a free state. Congress also drew the 36 30' line, saying that states above the line were to have no slavery, and states below could have slavery. -
The compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 saw the induction of California into the Union as a free state. This news upset southerners greately. In return, the government created the fugitive slave law, in which free or escaped slaves must be returned to the South at all costs. If you tried to help or assist the slaves in any way, you were sent to prison. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin is published
Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin, a book telling alll about the true horrors of slavery, in 1852. It caused great outrage in the south because they claimed the book was a lie. The north, on the other hand, was shocked. The book also caused shock in Europe, causing them to not help the south in the war. -
The Kansas - Nebraska act
The Kansas - Nebraska act was the law passed by congress stating that the system of popular sovereignty (where the people decide) would be used to determine wether the territories would be free or slave. During this, an abolitionist party known as the Republicians emerged, and they are still a large political group today. The system caused a mini civil war to start in Kansas, which killed many people. -
Dred Scott Supreme Court Decision
Dred Scott was a slave who moved with his master around the country. In 1847, he decided to sue for his freedom, since he and his master had spent extended stays in free states. It finally reached the Supreme Court in 1857. The court ruled that Scott could not have his freedom, because slaves were considered the property of their masters. -
Lincoln - Douglas Debates
Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas met in Illinois of a series of 7 debates, while both were vying for the senate seat. Although Douglas would ultimately win the senate, Lincoln would beat him for the presidency two years later. -
John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry
John Brown, a heavy abolitionist, set out with 21 men in order to attack the town of Harper's Ferry. Upon their arrival, they raided the local armory of its weapons, then held 60 citizens of the town hostage, in hopes of starting a major slave rebellion. The result of the attack was John and all of his men being caught and executed. -
Election of Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln is voted into office, causing much anger in the south, being that Lincoln is against slavery. -
Secession of South Carolina
After Lincoln was elected, the southerners had had enough. Talks of secession had been going on for several months. The first state to do so was South Carolina. This made several other states decide to seceed from the Union and create the Confederate states. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
This attack was the main event that officially got the ball rolling on the actual war. It began when confederate forces ordered those guarding the fort to surrender. When they refused, the Confederates attacked, forcing the Union to surrender the fort to them.
