Decade of Crisis

  • Compromise of 1850

    Henry Clay proposed the Compromise of 1850 to congress which recognized California as a free state. This overturned the Missouri Compromise.
  • Fugitive Slave Act

    Made it a crime to assist runaway slaves.
  • Uncle Toms Cabin

    A book written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Widened the divide between the north and the south.
  • Kansas-Nebraska Act

    Repealed the Missouri Compromise. Allowed for popular sovereignty
  • Sumner Caning

    After Sumner said words about the south, Brooks proceeded to get of the stand and nearly can Sumner to death.
  • Bleeding Kansas

    Fights between pro slavery and anti slavery groups broke out when Kansas entered the union as a free state.
  • Dred Scott Decision

    Dred Scott sued or freedom. The court deemed that African Americans were not American citizens and ruled the Missouri COmpromise unconstitutional.
  • Election of 1856

    James Buchanan was elected president.
  • Lincoln Douglas debates

    7 debates between Dem. Douglas and Rep. Lincoln. Concerning the issue of slavery extension in the United States.
  • John Brown Insurrection

    John Brown lead a raid against a federal armory in Harpers Ferry. He armed slave in an attempt to destroy the institution of slavery in the union.
  • Election of 1860

    Abraham LIncoln won the presidential election. Lincoln was very against slavery. This election lead to the seceding of South Carolina.
  • South Carolina Secession

    After Lincoln was elected president, South Carolina was the first state to secede from the union.