-
End of Mexican War
America grew shortly after the Mexican War because they ceded western territories. The biggest question that arose due to this expanison was when these territories became states, whether they would be slave or free. Congress introduced the idea of popular sovereignty which essentially let the states chose and decide for themselves. This showed in the Compromise of 1850 when they made California a free state but let Utah and New Mexico choose. -
Fugitive Slave Act
Passed by the US Congress as part of the Compromise of 1850, laid the law down on runaway slaves. It even forced law officials to pay a fine if they did not arrest a runaway slave. This helped the South, but angered the abolitionists in the North. Abolitionists increased their efforts and continue working the Underground Railroad. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Written by an anti-slavery white female, Harriet Beecher Stowe, it basically talked about the horrors of slavery in first-person of a slave. Many of the South banned this book and even critisized her, claiming she had never even encountered slavery. However, it became published world wide and became the biggest political force in the abolitionist movement. -
Bleeding Kansas
The Kansas-Nebraska Act that was passed in 1854 allowed Kansas and Nebraska to choose with popular sovereignty whether they wanted to be a free or slave state. However Kansas erupted with violence when the pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups clashed, fighting to decide the state's future, It foreshadowed the violence of the Civil War. -
Charles Sumner Attacked
When Charles Sumner heavily critisized the South and especially Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina for the violent acts of the Border Ruffians in Lawrence, Kansas, Brooks got very angry. On the floor of the US Senate, pro-slavery Brooks, took his cane and beat Sumner until he needed to get medical attention outside the states.This showed the disunion even in office due to slavery. -
Dred Scott Decision
When Dred Scott's master died, he fleed to a free state. He believed he was considered free because he had escaped from the slave South. However the court ruled that he was seen as property, not a citizen, so no matter where he was at, he would always be a slave. This rallied up the abolitionists to work even harder. -
Rejection of Lecompton Constitution
Popular sovereignty had long beame an issue throughout the history of the Civil War. In this case, this contitution was passed by pro-slavery forces, in hopes that Congress would make Kansas a slave state. However, with enough opposition, Kansas became a free state. -
John Brown Raid at Harper's Ferry
Radical abolitionist, John Brown, was involved in a violent anti-slavery act in Kansas. He believed to truly free the slaves, he had to kill the masters. He led a group of 17 men to steal the arsenal in Harper's Ferry. However, him and his men was shut down by Colonel Robert E. Lee. -
South Carolina Seceeds
South Carolina was the first state to secede from the union due to the Election of 1860. Soon after many such as Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas seceded. And it became known as the Confederate States of America. Along with naming Davis president the convention drafted a constitution. The Confederate Constitution was modeled on the U.S Constitution. The Confederate Constitution supported states rights, it also protected slavery. -
Lincoln becomes President
The election of 1860 was two different races for the presidency, one in the North and one in the South. Lincoln and Douglas were the only candidates with much support in the North. Breckinridge and Bel competed for Southern votes. Lincoln and Douglas had the most extreme views on slavery. Lincoln opposed the expansion of slavery into the territories. Southerners didn't trust Lincoln because they thought he would abolish slavery in the South. -
Lincoln Introduces Reconstruction Plan
The Ten Percent Plan was 10 percent or more of the population of the voting population of any occupied state who had taken the oath, they were authorized to set up a loyal government. Furthermore, Union troops were kept in the conquered territories and oversaw the states. Lincoln’s focus was to form the Union once-again as quickly as possible. -
13th Amendment
The 13th amendment to the United States Constitution abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. This amendment was key to a sound end to the Civil War as this amendment settled the issue of slavery. Under this amendment all slavery would be abolished and this would no longer be a controversial issue. -
Election of 1864
The election was an important campaign for Lincoln. Lincoln faced off against his former Union General Mcclellan and his secretary of treasure Chase. With the support of the Republicans and War Democrats Lincoln won the election and continued his presidency. -
Andrew Johnson's Reconstruction Plans
The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. This amendment was key to a sound end to the Civil War as this amendment settled the issue of slavery. Under this amendment all slavery would be abolished and this would no longer be a controversial issue. -
Introduction of Black Codes
Despite the emancipation proclamation and the 13th amendment southern white supremacist would not allow blacks to have their full freedom. The black codes were implemented to restrict freedom and to compel the blacks to work trivial low wage jobs. These harsh laws allowed the oppression of african americans to continue after slavery. -
Ku Klux Klan
Formed in tennessee 1866 April, formed by former confederate officers. The goal of the Ku Klux Klan was to restore white supremacy and to terrorize and coerce white republicans and freedmen and women. They would intimidate, mutilate, flog, and murder these people. They were the biggest exisiting anti-black group. -
President Johnson is impeached
Johnson was extremely unpopular with the republicans. A weak and unconfident leader Johnson’s attempts to reconcile with the South were too generous, despite what the South had done. Steps that Republicans would take to impose harsher restrictions on the South were eagerly vetoed by President Johnson. He was placed on trial and was one short shy of being removed from office. He was the first president to be impeached -
14th Amendment
The 14th amendment granted citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States,” which included former slaves recently freed. In addition, it forbids states from denying any person "life, liberty or property, without due process of law" or to "deny to any person equal protection of the laws.The 14th Amendment helped to protect the rights of African Americans; however Southern White Supremisists did everything in their power to make their lives hard. -
15th Amendment
The fifteenth amendment granted African American men the right to vote. This amendment granted universal male suffrage. However, the 15th Amendment would have no real effect because of the use of poll taxes, literacy tests, lynchings, violence, and coercion by white southerners to prevent African Americans from voting. -
Enforcement Act of 1870
Congress was upset with the terrorizing Ku Klux Klan that committed violent hate crimes to blacks. The Federal Troop was ordered to defeat most of the KKK members. They were arrested and tried as criminals, murderers, and terrorists.
