Events Leading to the Civil War By Jsong Mar 3, 1820 Missouri Compromise Period: Mar 3, 1820 to Apr 12, 1861 Causes of the Civil War Period: Apr 25, 1846 to Feb 2, 1848 Mexican War Aug 8, 1846 Wilmot Proviso Jan 29, 1850 Compromise of 1850 Mar 20, 1852 Uncle Toms Cabin is published Mar 20, 1854 Republican Party Formed May 30, 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act is Signed Oct 25, 1855 Bleeding Kansas Mar 6, 1857 Dred Scott v. Sandford Period: Aug 21, 1858 to Oct 15, 1858 Lincoln Douglas Debates Oct 16, 1859 Harpers Ferry Raid Nov 6, 1860 Election of 1860 Dec 20, 1860 South Carolina Secedes Apr 12, 1861 Fort Sumter