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Nat Turners Rebelion
In August of 1831, Nat Turner - an enslaved man - led a rebellion through Southampton County, Virginia. A group of around 70 free and enslaved blacks murdered between 55-65 people. Out of that, 51 were white. The dead included men, women, and children. -
Creole Case
In November of 1841, a slave ship named the “Creole” sailed on its trade route. The slaves on board held a revolt, and took over the ship. They sailed to the Bahamas, where they docked and 128 slaves were declared free. This is because Great Britain owned the Bahamas and had already abolished slavery. -
John Dawson attacking Joshua Giddings
Joshua R. Giddings was a known abolitionist and speaker against slavery in congress. When Giddings delivered a speech on slavery, and specifically abolition, it upset a number of people. In specific, John B. Dawson. Dawson went to threaten Giddings with a knife. This is an example of violence over slavery in congress. -
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The Mexican War
From 1846 to 1848, a war over land between Mexico and the United States arose. There were losses from both sides, with America over 13,000 and Mexico over 25,000. The much wanted land is now Texas. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war, with the U.S. receiving Texas. -
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Bleeding Kansas
May 30th, 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska act used popular sovereignty, a way to decide if a state would have slavery or not based on the consent of people. Kansas became available on whether it tilt for or against slavery. Both sides went to violent extremes on whether Kansas was to be a slave state or not. Around 55 people were killed. -
Preston Brooks and his cane
May 22nd, 1856, Charles Sumner talked colorfully about Andrew Butler in front of the senate about Butler’s view on slavery in Kansas. Preston Brooks, kin to Butler, decided to stand up for his family and took a cane to Sumner’s head. Preston Brooks received praise from other southerners, who started sending him canes. -
Battle of Osawatomie
A part of “Bleeding Kansas”, the Battle of Osawatomie was held in Osawatomie Kansas and led by John Brown. Brown had around 40 men on his side, and their goal was to protect Osawatomie from John W. Reid’s pro-slavery men. Brown ultimately withdrew, with 5 deaths and multiple injured. -
John Brown’s Raid
In 1859, October 16-18, John Brown held a raid on Harpers Ferry in what is now West Virginia. Brown was a white abolitionist, advocating against slavery. The raid was held in hopes to bring an end to slavery and free slaves in the are. The raid lasted two days, with 16 deaths. -
Abraham Lincoln elected as President
In 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected as President as a republican from Illinois. Almost immediately, Southern states started seceding in rebellion. They knew he was anti-slavery, and they were afraid he would abolish slavery. -
Battle at Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter, a sea fort built in South Carolina, was attacked by the South Carolina militia. The United States Army returned gunfire, but eventually surrendered with their troops outnumbered and unprepared. The Civil War had officially begun.