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Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was admitted by Congress to make the balance of free, and slave states equal in Congress. This event was important because it made Missouri, and Maine a state. It balanced Congress between a slave and a free state. -
Tariff of Abominations
The cost to import goods was raised in 1828 by the federal government. This tariff protected Northern industries. The significance of it was that it made tensions high between the north and south because the south strongly opposed. -
Wilmot Proviso
Wilmot Proviso would have prevented slavery's expansion into any of this new territory. The House of Representatives approved the appropriations bill and, as a result, but the Senate turn down before Wilmot Proviso would have prevented slavery's expansion into any of this new territory.
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Free-Soil Party
The Free soil party was a party that opposed the extension of slavery to territories that werent yet admitted to statehood. They opposed slavery and were made of up Northern whigs, democrats, and Liberty Party. The significance was that this party was another example of the difference in opinion in America at the time. -
Underground Railroad (Harriet Tubman)
African America women that escaped slavery and help other people escape slavery called the underground railroad. -
Fugitive Slave Act
A federal law that all escape slaves be returned to their rightful owner promptly. It made the helping of slaves a federal crime, and it was openly resisted in the north. The significance of this act was that it brought more trouble on the idea of slave talks in the United States. -
Compromise of 1850
Congress passed five laws on the issue of slavery. Henry Clay seeked a resolution to keep a balance of slave and free states. The significance was that it kept balance in congress between slave states and free states. It made California a free state. -
Know-Nothing Party
The Know Nothing Party was an anti immigrant party who thought the German immigrants served as a threat to economic stability. The significance was that it showed how so Americans felt about the immigrants coming in to America for our jobs. 10/05/1850- 10/05/1860 -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Toms Cabin was a best seller book wrote by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It changed how Americans viewed slavery drastically. It made those in north really educated about how bad slavery actually was. The significance of this novel was that it changed forever how Americans viewed slavery. -
Republican Party
The party formed from a meeting of the free soil party, northern whigs, and others against the kansas and nebraska act. The significance of this party is that it is still a major party in the US today. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas Nebraska Act allowed people of Nebraska, and Kansas, north of the 36 30 longitude line to vote on whether they wanted slavery or not. This act repealed the Missouri Compromise. The significance of this event was that it started a civil war in the state of Kansas. -
Brooks/Sumner Senate Caning
Without warning Senator Brooks attacked Senator Sumner with a heavy cane until he collapsed. Sumner had directed vicious remarks to Butler of South Carolina, and he didnt take kindly to his actions. The significance of this event was that it signified how violence over Kansas had spread to Congress. -
Sack of Lawrence
The town of Lawrence had become a center for antislavery activity. A pro slavery posse rode into Lawrence to arrest the leaders, looting and destroying much of the town. The significance of this event was that it made troubles between the abolitionists and anti abolitionists even worse. (Notes) -
The Election of 1856
The election of 1856 was an extremely close election that led to the election of president James Buchanan. Franklin Pierce was not nominated from his party because of his efforts after the Kansas and Nebraska act. This election was significant because a new president had to come in to deal with the problems after the Kansas and Nebraska Act. -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott was a slave who sued for his freedom with the argument that by living where slavery was illegal he had become free. Southeners of course agreed with this decision, and northerners did not. The significance was that northerners feared that slavery could now not be banned in any territory. -
Freeport Doctrine
The freeport doctrine stated that states or territories could decide if they wanted slavery by popular soveriengnty. The significance of the freeport doctrine is that it was an option for states to decide whether they wanted to be slave states or free states. -
Lincoln- Douglas Debated
The Debates were a series of seven public meetings where Lincoln and Stephen Douglas debated the issues of their Senate Campaign. Lincoln spoke with calmness, and logic. Douglas spoke with great flair. The significance was that they put Lincoln on the political scene even though he didnt win the seat. -
Bleeding Kansas
John Brown a radical abolitionist, organized a antislavery militia, and they sought bloody revenge for what happened in Lawrence. He and his followers drug five proslavery members out and killed them. The significance of this is that it helped ignite a civil war in Kansas. -
Harpers Ferry Incident
Abolitionist John Brown and several followers seized the United States Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry. The actions of Brown's men brought national attention to the emotional divisions concerning slavery. -
The Election of 1860
The election of !860 was the year Abraham Lincoln was elected. He was on the political scene after the Douglas debates. After he was elected president South Carolina seceeded from the union. The significance was that this election caused South Carolina to be the first Confederate state. -
South Carolina Secession
Addresses to the Southern States and to the world have been issued and published; their length precludes their publication here. Three Commissioners- Messrs. Adams, Orr, and Barnwell- have been appointed to treat with the United States Government. Nothing has been done with regard to the commercial relations of the new nation: the United States Collector continues to issue clearances and to collect duties. -
Formation of the Confederate States of America
Representatives met from the seven states to form the Conferderate States of America. They did not think their secession was illegal and wanted to do it in a peaceful manner. The significance of this was that it started the Civil War in America. -
Fort Sumter
Confederates open fire on a Union fort, and the fort was then surrendered the next day. The significance of this was that it was the first battle of the civil war.