Events leading to the Civil war

  • Compromise of 1850

    Compromise of 1850
    California was admitted as a free state. A Stricter Fugitive Slave Act was passed. Washington, D.C., was required to end the slave trade in the city.
  • Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

    Fugitive Slave Act of 1850
    Any slave that escaped to the North can be returned to their master in the south.
  • Uncle Tom’s Cabin

    Uncle Tom’s Cabin
    A book by Harriet Beecher Stowe showed the harsh reality of slavery and many people joined the abolishment movement after reading her book.
  • Kansas Nebraska Act of 1854

    Kansas Nebraska Act of 1854
    Kansas and Nebraska could decide whether they wanted to be a free or slave state. Kansas with slavery would violate the Missouri Compromise. Also resulted in bleeding Kansas.
  • Dred Scott Decision

    Dred Scott Decision
    Dred Scott was a free man from the north for many years and was returned to the south.
  • Harper’s Ferry 1859

    Harper’s Ferry 1859
    Brown leads a group of men to attack the weapons arsenal at Harpers Ferry. Raid fails and Brown is captured and hanged for treason. Becomes a martyr in the North. South sees to what extent the North will do to end slavery.
  • Lincoln’s Election 1860

    Lincoln’s Election 1860
    Lincoln is elected president and the south becomes mad and starts to secede. Lincoln’s election pushed the nation to the brink of war.
  • Attack on Ft. Sumter 1861

    Attack on Ft. Sumter 1861
    Attack on Ft. Sumter is the beginning part of the war after the south attacks a Union fort in South Carolina.