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Tariff of 1816
After the War of 1812, American industries had to compete with Britain's cheap prices. The Tariff of 1816 was a protective tax that was created as a safeguard to American industries. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was passed between free and anti-slavery states. It prohibited slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36'30 latitude line. -
David Walker's Appeal
David Walker's appeal was an anti-slavery document that called for slaves to revolt against their masters. This led to rebellion between the north and south as well as slaves and their owners. -
Abolitionism
Abolitionism was the movement to end slavery. Slavery had become a huge part of life in the South, while Northerners (and some Southerners) were against the unconstitutional use of slaves. -
Underground Railroad
The Underground Raliroad was essentially a secret route to freedom for slaves. Although many died in the process, it allowed for some slaves to escape and help the rebellion. -
Nat Turner's Rebellion
Nat Turner's Rebellion was one of the move significant revolts in American history due to the violence and motives. His actions created a sense of power in slaves but anger in their masters and other free men. -
The Liberator
William Lloyd Garrison wrote and published the newspaper "The Liberator." The text worked as an abolitionist movement to help put an end to slavery. -
Gag Rule
In 1836, the gag rule required the US House to discussion anti-slavery petitions. The gag rule brought forth discussion of slavery and therefore aided in it's abolishment. -
Annexation of Texas
The annexation of Texas caused conflict between Mexico and the United States, thus the Mexican American War. -
Mexican American War
Land was the winning prize of the Mexican American War. After several battles and attacks, the countries agreed to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, -
Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso stated that slavery would not exist in any territory that the United States gained from Mexico. Southerners were outraged for they were in favor of slavery. The idea of popular sovereignty was brought forth. -
Annexation of Oregon
Oregon became an American territory thanks to the Oregon Treaty. It defined the border between the United States and Canada which in turn resolved the conflict between England and the United States. -
California's Admission To The Union
After much consideration, California joined the Union as a free state. Obviously, Southerners did not approve of this decision while Northerners did. -
Popular Sovereignty
Popular sovereignty was the idea that citizens of each new territory would decide whether or not slavery would be promitted. The new western territory was settled mainly by Northerners (who therefore chose to be a free state). -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo settled conflicts between Mexico and America and ended the War. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was a set of 5 bills which dealt with the slave status in the new territorires. Neither the North or the South were satisfied though and more bills were yet to come. -
Transcontinental Railroad
Transcontinental railroads opened up small regions of the contient to exploration, settlement, and trade. The railroads united the country and provided a better system of transportation. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Law declared that all runaway slaves were to be returned to their masters. Although this helped slaveholders, abolitionist were completely against this act. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
This anti-slavery novel fueled the Civil War. American people better understood slavery and the harm it caused; the fight to end slavery was inspired. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act created the territories of Nebraska and Kansas. By allowing popular sovereignty, the act worked against the Missouri Compromise, -
Collapse of the Whig Party
After much of the land turned away from the Whig party's beliefs, it evenually dropped out. The fellow Whigs however, adopted the Opposition Party several years later. -
Birth of the Republican Party
The goal of the Republican Party was to stop the spread of slavery. The party was popular and dominated American politics for years. -
Caning of Charles Sumner
The cannning of Charles Sumner symbolized the end of compromise between the North and South. Slaves would rebel until they were freed. -
Bleeding Kansas
Bleeding Kansas was a series of fights that would determine whether Kansas would enter the Union as a free or slave state. -
Election of 1856
The electiof of 1856 was a heated vote between the American, Republican, and Know Nothing parties. James Buchanan won the election. -
Lecompton Constitution
The Lecompton Constitution was produced by pro-slave forces which allowed Kansas to enter the Union as a slave state. -
Dred Scott Decision
The Supreme Court ruled against Dred Scott; as an African American, he was not considered a citizen of the United States and therefore didn't have the right to sue. -
John Brown's Raid
Brown's raid consisted of abolitionists who planned a slave revolt against slaveholders. As a result, Brown was captured by the US Marines and sentenced to death. Southerners viewed Brown's raid as proof that Northerners were plotting terror among slaveholders. -
Election of 1860
The election of 1860 was the force behind the Civil War. The country was already split between free and slave states so when Lincoln was elected president, change was on it's way. -
First State to Secede
South Carolina was the first state to secede the Union and start the Confederacy. This seperation of America, triggered the Civil War. -
The Next 6 States to Secede
The next six states to secede from the Union [Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas] joined the Conferedate States of America.They fought together in the Civil War but were evenually taken down by Union forces. -
The Confederate States of America
The Conferderacy fought and lost in the American Civil War; hense the reason slavery is no longer occurant in the United States.
