civil war timeline

The Missouri Compromise

Mar 6, 1820

The Missouri Compromise occurred when the United States bought Missouri with the Louisiana Purchase. The northern states wanted to ban slavery in the new states, but the southern states wanted Missouri to enter as a slave state. However congress agreed that Missouri would enter as a slave state, and the state of Maine would enter as a free state.

Nat Turner's Rebellion

Aug 21, 1831

Nat Turner started an uprising that involved multiple plantations in VA. Turner and seventy cohorts murdered around 60 white people. Turner and 55 other slaves were tried and executed, with 200 more lynched.

Bleeding Kansas

1854

Bleeding Kansas was a series of confrontations between pro-slavery and anti-slavery. Violent guerrilla warfare was used during these times, which would help shape the US today. Peopl were known to sneak into Kansas to vote for slavery, but that never worked well. Throughout these 4 years, around 55 people were killed

Dred Scott vs. Sanford

1857

Dred Scott was a slave that tried to sue for his freedom in VA. This case was brought to the Supreme Court where the decision was made that Scott, who was a slave, was property. This decision threatened the political landscape that was preventing the Civil War.

John Brown's Raid

Oct 16, 1859

John Brown’s Raid was a violent action taken against the south. This was a small group of men attacking a federal armory in Harpers Ferry, VA. Brown and his men were armed with “Beecher’s Bibles”. There were casualties on both sides, including Brown’s son.

Abraham Lincoln's Election

Nov 6, 1860

Lincoln was elected president in 1860, however he was not included in many ballots in the southern states. He was a republican, which scared the southerners because the republican party was anti-slavery. This was followed by South Carolina and six other states leaving the Union.

The Battle of Fort Sumter

Apr 12, 1861

Following the secession of many southern states, many forts became outposts in foregin land. Lincoln sent supplies to these forts to only be denied. This turned into a 34-hour bombardment.