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Dred Scott
Dred scott sued for his freedom. The question before the court was if dred scott was considered a free man and if the missouri compromise is constitutional or not. Dred scott was ruled property, and the missouri compromise was ruled unconstitutional. People no longer had the right to popular sovereignty, leaving the northerns upset.The republicans ignored the case ruling. It would now take african americans longer to become citizens and to gain their full rights. -
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe had written a novel about her encounters with slavery, and how cruel slave owners really where. The book became very popular and sold 10,000 copies within the first week. This book caused controversy between north and south. The south claimed that they were misrepresented in the tale. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
An act created by Stephen Douglas that takes what is left of the Louisiana territory and divides it into two. This act creates the Kansas and the Nebraska territory. The issue of slavery would be decided upon popular sovereignty. Tensions rise over whether or not these areas will be free or slave states. -
Period: to
Bloody Kansas
Period of violence during the settling of the Kansas territory. Settlers from both the North (antislavery) and South (proslavery) rushed into the Kansas territory in attempts to influence whether or not it would be a slave or a free state. Tensions rise between the North and the South over whether Kansas will be a free or a slave state and both sides rush to apply for statehood with their constitutions. -
Republican Party
The Whigs from the north collapsed and formed into the republican party. They opposed the Kansas Nebraska act, and fought to keep western territories free. Even political parties are dividing sectionally. -
Pottawatomie creek massacre
John Brown was a slave abolitionist who believed he was working for what god intended. He killed 5 people in what is known as the Pottawatomie creek massacre. He lead a group of men who dragged victims helplessly and cut off their heads and hands while they were sleeping. -
Election of 1856
James Buchanan was elected as president. Democrats were strong in the south. And republicans in the north. The election votes were divided along the sectional lines.This election raised tension between both sides, because everyone had a different opinion on slavery, and this election would become the foundation of what happened next. -
Brooks Summer Incident
An incident in which Congressmen Preston Brooks attacks Charles Sumner in defence of his uncle. Sumner had given a two day speech and put down a lot of people, including the uncle of Brooks. In rage, Brooks attacked Sumner in a senate chamber with a cane. This event highlights the growing tensions between the north and the south and how easily they were resorting to violence. -
LeCompton Constitution
Pro slavery forces apply for statehood first (advantage because South is closer). They draft the Lecompton Constitution, which says Kansas as a slave state. Congress does nothing with this. Tensions rise between the North and the South over whether or not Kansas will be a free or slave state. -
Harper’s Ferry
John brown raised money and recruited men to help him raid Harpers Ferry ( federal arsenal). Brown was caught and sent to execution. This event convinced southerners that northerners would stop at nothing to free slaves. -
Lincoln Douglas Debate
A series of seven debates during the 1853 senatorial campaign over the issue of slavery expansion into the territories between Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. Throughout the debates, Douglas continuously called Lincoln a dangerous radical who advocated racial equality and the disruption of the union while Lincoln attacked popular sovereignty for the results of Bloody Kansas. These events highlight the growing divide between Proslavery and Antislavery political stances. -
House Divided Speech
A speech by Lincoln in which he warns that the nation is becoming a house divided and that a house divided within itself cannot stand. He addresses the fact that the nation is becoming divided over the issue of slavery. Tensions rise between the north and the south because lincoln mentions the use of federal power to end slavery. -
Election of 1860
"The 1860 election revealed how divided the country had become. There were actually two separate sectional campaigns: one in the North, pitting Lincoln against Douglas, and one in the South between Breckenridge and Bell. Only Stephen Douglas mounted a truly national campaign. The Republicans did not campaign in the South and Lincoln's name did not appear on the ballot in 10 states." -
Secession
"Six states of the Deep South joined South Carolina in leaving the Union: Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. " This was a leading point to the civil war because it means the union was breaking into two sides -
Lincoln’s first inaugural address
"When Abraham Lincoln was sworn in as the 16th president of the United States, he faced the grim reality that seven states had seceded from the Union. Faced with this national upheaval, Lincoln focused on sustaining support in the North, while attempting to allay fears in the South. This was a last appeal to stop the civil war from happening. "