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Events leading to the Civil war
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Invention of the Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, made to make cotton picking faster and easier for slaves. This increased slavery.
Signifigance: If slavery hadn't have increased so rapidly and to such a high number, it probably wouldn't have become such an issue. But because of this invention, slaves were made to be even more valuable to slave owners. -
The Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was a secret network of safe routes to help black slaves reach freedom in the North. They went on foot, train, and wagon. Harriet Tubman created it. About 100,000 slaves escaped using this escape route.
Signifigance: with slaves escaping in ways such as this, the South had to crack down harder on slaves. They sent their hunts for slaves North, bringing their chaos with them. -
Abolitionist Movement
When slavery threatened to spread to the West it became a major issue under speculation. This speculation and eventually criticism led to the abolitionist movemnet, The abolitionist movement was created in opposition to slavery. This movement contributed greatly to the Civil War. -
Manifest Destiny
The Manifest Destiny was when people thought moving West would benefit them and their families. Along the travel West, Native American land was destroyed.
Signifigance: some people wanted new states in the expansion areas while others wanted slave states, this contributed to the civil war. -
Annexation of Texas
Texas was granted statehood. The North opposed the annexation because they thought it would start another war.
Signifigance:It upset the balance of free and slave states which contributed to the war -
Mexican American War
A battle that began in Texas and eventually led to Mexico seceding mass amounts of land.
Signifigance: The addition of a vast new territory re-opened the debate about whether it would end up slave or free, or some of each. The growing "free soil" movement opposed the addition of any new slave states -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act was passed by the U.S. Congress on September 18, 1850, as part of the Compromise of 1850 between the North and South. it declared that all runaway slaves be brought back to their masters
Signifigance: It made both the citizens and goverment responsible for catching run away slaves, when the North was against slavery to begin with.
