-
Missouri Compromise
Maine was introduced as a free state
Missouri was introduced as a slave state
The North got the rest of the Louisiana Purchase above the 36 30 Line, while the South got the rest of the purchase below said line. -
Nat Turner's Rebellion
Nat Turner gathered slaves and rebelled against their masters and their master's families. They killed roughly 50 people.
All involved were executed when caught, and fear spread through the South, creating stricter regulations on the slaves. -
Compromise of 1850 Is Passed
The North got California in exchange for the South getting the rest of the Mexican Cession. The territories created would vote on whether they wanted to be a free or slave state. As part of the agreement, slave trading was banned in DC, and stronger fugitive slave laws were placed on the country. Texas was officially able to join the US as a state, now voting on what type of state they were to be. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin Is Released
Author Harriet Beecher Stowe released the novel to show the horrors and hardships of slavery.
The book fueled many Northerners to become strong believers in abolition. The book was banned in the southern states due to its content and insult to slavery. -
Kansas - Nebraska Act
The rest of the Louisiana Purchase was to be divided into 2 territories, and slavery would be decided by popular sovereignty. This caused slavery to no longer to be banned in Kansas, creating conflict. This led to a rigged vote for slavery, beginning what is known as Bleeding Kansas. -
John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry
John Brown wanted to arm slaves and invoke a rebellion. He decided to raid the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia to acquire the weapons needed to arm his rebel force. After raiding the fort, he was later captured and tried for treason. On this charge, he is hung. The North mourned, while the South celebrated. -
Dred Scott Ruling
After Dred Scott, a slave claiming to be free, sued for his freedom and lost, the Supreme Court released a public ruling that stated the following: African Americans were not citizens. Slaves were property, which was protected by the 5th Amendment. -
1860 Election
Republicans nominate Abraham Lincoln
Democrats were divided, so they ran 2 candidates
A third party was formed, known as Constitutional Union Party
Abraham Lincoln won the election, which caused some states to succeed from the union, believing Abe wanted to outlaw slavery. Abraham Lincoln would go on to declare he didn't want to abolish slavery, but his first act as president would be to make secession illegal.