-
Missouri Comprimise
In 1820, there was a disagreement about Missouri becoming a slave state because if it was a slave state Congress wouldn't be equal. Maine ended up becoming a free state, and MIssouri became a slave state. Also anything above the parallel 36°30′ north is free and anything below it is not. -
Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso was one of the major events leading to the American Civil War, would have banned slavery in any territory to be acquired from Mexico in the Mexican War or in the future. It was introduced the Proviso in the United States House of Representatives by David Wilmot. -
California Statehood
Southernors proposed a bill that would extend the Missouri Compromise line all the way to the pacific. Above it slavery would be banned and below it, it would be allowed. But of course, northernors rejected it. Later in 1849 California applied for statehood as a free state, but southernors didn't like it. -
Fugitive Slave Law
The Fugitive Slave Law was when there was a problem with runaway slaves. It declared that all runaway slaves must be returned back to their masters. Since northerners were against slavery, they refused to obey the law. If someone found out they were disobeying the law they could be jailed. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin published
Uncle Tom's Cabin was a book written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Published in 1852, the novel helped lay down the ground rules of the civil war. It was based on a girl named Eliza and her dramatic escape to freedom. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Senator Stephen A. Douglas proposed the Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854 created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, opening new lands for settlement, and let settlers decide if slavery was allowed in the territories. Northernors were afraid it would start slavery in the north, but Douglas said it wasn't sited for slave labor. When it was passed many people moved there. Soon enough violence started. -
Onsted Manifesto
Onsted Manifesto was a message sent ot the secretary of state by three American diplomats meeting in Ostend, Beligium.President Franklin Pierce was trying to purchase the island of Cuba from Spain, but they refused. The message from the diplomats stated the U.S. government to seize Cuba by force if the offer kept getting refused. -
Charles Sumner Beaten
Sumner voiced his opinion in his speech called "The Crime Against Kansas" as a violent assault on an innocent teritory compelling to the hateful embrace of slavery. Copies of his speech were quickly printed for the north. Two days after his speech senator butlers nephew. Preston Brooks attacked Sumner beating him with his cane until it broke in half. -
Raid on Lawrence, Kansas
Pro-slavery settlers and "border ruffans" from Missouri invaded Lawrence, Kansas, the home of the anti-slavery government. The invaders burned a hotel, looted several homes, and tossed the presses of two abolitionist newspapers into the Kaw River. -
John Brown Invades Pottawotamie, Kansas
John Brown and a band of abolitionist settlers killed five settlers north of Pottawatomie Creek .This was one of the many bloody episodes in Kansas preceding the American Civil War, which became known as Bleeding Kansas. -
Dred Scott Decision
the Dred Scott Decision, was a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that people of African descent brought into the United States and held as slaves were not protected by the Constitution and were not U.S. citizens. Since passage of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the decision has not been a precedent case, but retains historical significance. -
Lincoln-Douglas debate
A series of seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. They were both trying for their respective parties to win control of the Illinois legislature. The main issue was slavery. The debates were held in seven towns in the state of Illinois: Ottawa, Freeport, Jonesboro, Charleston, Galesburg, Quincy, and Alton. -
Harper's Ferry Raid
White abolitionist John Brown tried to start an armed slave revolt by seizing a United States Arsenal at Harpers Ferry in Virginia. Brown's raid was defeated by a detachment of U.S. Marines led by Col. Robert E. Lee. John Brown had originally asked Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass to join him when he attacked the armory, but illness prevented Tubman from joining him, and Douglass believed that his plan would fail and thus did not join. -
Abraham Lincoln Voted President
Abraham Lincoln's opponent was Senator Stephen Douglas, When challenged to debate the issue of slavery Douglas agreed. Lincoln lost the election but his debates helped become a nationsl figure. In 1860 Lincoln won the election, with 40% of the votes. but in ten southern states, huis name wasn't even on the ballot. -
South Carolina Secedes
The white people of South Carolina, strongly supported the institution of slavery. Political leaders such as John C. Calhoun and Preston Brooks had inflamed regional passions, and for years before the eventual start of the Civil War in 1861, people liked the idea of secession. On December 20, 1860, South Carolina became the first state to declare its secession from the United States. The first shots of the Civil War were fired in Charleston by its cadets. -
Fort Sumter Attack
The bombardment and surrender of Fot Sumter, was the start of the American Civil War. Following declarations of secession by seven Southern states, South Carolina demanded that the U.S. Army abandon its facilities in Charleston Harbor.
