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Fugitive Slave Acts
These were laws that were created by the federal government that made sure that runaway slaves who ran to the North still had to be returned to their owner.
North: At least they can still run to Canada... right?
South: Yay! Slavery! We get our property back!
This caused slavery to continue to exist. The North was mad about this. -
Caning of Charles Sumner
Charles Sumner was an integrated education activist.
North: He is right (but during this time period they were still racist, so they would have wanted African Americans and white people to be separated).
South: Slaves are slaves.
People were divided on African American education, and that caused tension. -
Compromise of 1850
Bill passed by congress to make California a free state, with Utah and New Mexico deciding their own fate. Texas and New Mexico would be slave states.
Northern: California would be a free state, but they would lose the battle as Utah and New Mexico became slave states.
Southern: They would lose a large state in California, but would gain slave states in Utah and New Mexico.
This caused tension over which new territories would be slave territories or which would be free territories. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
An anti-slavery book is published, written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It sold 300000 copies.
North: Great novel, and it helped our cause.
South: Blasphemy! This novel is against everything we believe in.
As Abraham Lincoln said, “So this is the little lady who made this big war.” Meaning that she almost caused the civil war. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
This was a bill created by congress that stated that free states had the rights to vote on whether their states were free or slave states.
North: All states should be free states but this is OK. It's democracy.
South: It is democracy, it is just.
It caused more states to be free and slave states, which increased the tension and lead to the civil war. -
Bleeding Kansas
Pro Slavery and Anti Slavery settlers moved to Kansas and fought over whether it should be a free or slave state.
North: It should be a free state.
South: It should be a slave state.
Conflict and violence broke out in Kansas. -
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was a secret system used to free slaves. Many people participated in it, and it was a great system.
North: It was illegal, but it helped our cause to stop slavery.
South: Our property was escaping.
This caused tension because the South wanted their property back, and the North wanted justice for slaves. -
Dred Scott Decision
A slave testified against his owner saying that his owner held him in a free state. The court decided that the slave didn't have the right because he was black.
North: Everyone deserves a fair trial.
South: You should've stayed in Missouri.
The North thought it was unfair. -
Lincoln Douglas Debates
A series of debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in the Illinois state election.
North: Sided with Lincoln.
South: Sided with Douglas.
Caused tension over that election and slavery. -
Harper's Ferry
Considered the first battle of the civil war, abolitionists attacked slave plantations freeing slaves in Maryland and Virginia.
North: This was a good battle, freeing slaves.
South: Atrocity.
This was the start of the civil war. -
Election of 1860
Abraham v Douglas was one of the most influential elections ever. It ultimately led to the Civil War.
North: Pro-Abraham
South: Pro-Douglas
Abraham was anti slavery, and Douglas was pro Slavery. This ultimately led to the Cession. -
Secession
The Southern States seceded from the union.
North: They are American states, they need to abolish slavery and stay part of the USA.
South: We want slavery and freedom from America.
This caused the civil war to keep southern states from seceding. -
Fort Sumter
These are the first official shots of the civil war. The union wanted to stock a fort in South Carolina, and the South had already set up. It lead to a Confederate victory.
North: Attack more, should have won the battle.
South: We won the battle, allow us to secede.
This battle was the start of the Civil War.