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Timeline Description
This timeline shows and explains all the events that occurred in America from 1810 to 1870, leading up to the Civil War. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was created in 1820. It admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. Congress drew a line across the Louisiana Purchase at 36°30ʹ. Slavery is banned above the line and is permitted below the line. This led to the Civil War because it made the North more aggressive about the issue of slavery while filling the South with resentment. -
The Compromise of 1850
Admitted California to the Union as a free state. New Mexico and Utah could choose to be slave states. Ended slave trade in Washington D.C. Enforced a stronger fugitive slave law. This event led up to the Civil War, because it failed to settle the argument about slavery causing both sides tension to escalate. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Created by Stephen Douglas, making Kansas and Nebraska states. Abolished the Missouri Compromise. Left settlers to decide whether to allow slavery or not, called popular sovereignty, or rule by the people. Settlers from both the North and the South came to Kansas. Southern settlers from Missouri came into Kansas to vote it as a slave state. The result was two different governments being formed. Tension rose between both sides wondering which government was real, leading up to the Civil War. -
Dred Scott Case
Dred Scott was a slave that sued for his freedom after living in a free state. The Supreme Court decided that Dred Scott had no right to sue because he wasn't an american citizen. The Missouri Compromise was also abolished for being unconstitutional. This event led to the Civil War due to many reasons. The North was angered when the Court ruled that "African Americans have no rights, since they are not citizens." This hardened anti-slavery feelings in the North which made the South wary. -
Election of 1860
Lincoln was the candidate for the Republicans. The Northern Democrats nominated Stephen Douglas as their candidate. Southern Democrats supported John C. Breckinridge. A group called the Constitutional Union Party nominated John Bell. Lincoln won the election with only forty percent of the votes all from the North. He wasn't even on the ballot in ten southern states. This election led to the Civil War. The South were in the minority and had no power, so some states considered secession. -
Attack On Fort Sumter
After Lincoln's election, the South was in the minority. On December 20, 1860, South Carolina voted to leave the Union. Six other states decided to follow, creating the Confederate States of America. Lincoln asked them to peacefully return. Instead, on April 12, 1861, the South opened fire on Fort Sumter. After 33 hours of shelling, Sumter surrendered with no casualties. This attack was the start of a long lasting, brutal, and horrific Civil War.
