-
Missouri compromise
There was debate over whether missouri and maine should be free or slave states. This compromise allowed Missouri to enter the union as a slave state and Maine as a free state. It also prohibited slavery north (above) a 36 30 line of latitude in the Louisiana territory.
This is significant for understanding essential question 1-1 "How was slavery addressed between 1820 and 1850" because it is an agreement/compromise made to address slavery in 2 new states joining the union in 1820. -
Wilmot proviso (failed)
There was dispute over what would happen to mexican territory that the USA won in the Mexican American War. David Wilmot proposed an amendment stating any territory taken from Mexico would be free. It passed the house twice however, failed to pass in the senate.
This is relevant to essential question 1-1 as it is a proposal about free states that was passed twice by one part of congress but denied by the other. It shows how intense the dispute over slavery was. -
Period: to
Mexican American war
A conflict between the USA and Mexico because of the annexation of Texas (1845). The Mexican American war was ended by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo which gave the USA control of Mexico, New Mexico, and CA for $15 million.
This is relevant to essential question 1-1 because new land was brought into the united states creating new states that could be free or slave states. This caused political issues/debate. -
Compromise of 1850
After the Mexican american war there was political debate over whether the new states should be free or slave states. The compromise settled the dispute over what would be done with the land from the Mexican cession.
1. California- free
2. Utah and New Mexico- territorial status, pop sov
3. DC- slave trade abolished
4. New fugitive slave law
5. TX debt assumption
This is relevant to essential question 1-1 because the compromise was used to address a debate regarding slavery in new lands. -
Fugitive slave act
Allowed for anyone accused of being a runaway slave to be arrested and not given a trial (as slaves did not have the right to one). Northerners were also required to assist in their capture is requested. This resulted in events like the jerry rescue in NY 1851 and the 1854 failed Boston slave riot in which a guard was killed and martial law enacted
This is relevant to essential question 1-2 "How and why did sectional tensions widen between 1850 and 1856" because it angered abolitionists. -
Publication of uncle toms cabin by harriet beecher stowe
This book was read all over and exposed the horrors slaves endured within the south. It heightened support for abolitionism and escalated sectional tensions.
This is relevant to essential question 1-2 because the book caused outrage from the north and abolitionist sentiments increased putting more pressure on the south. -
Period: to
Bleeding kansas
The kansas nebraska act passed in 1854 made kansas and nebraska ruled by popular sovereignty. Southerners and northerners flooded the state and violence erupted. The main violent events were the Sacking of lawrence/ Pottawatomie Massacre (May 1856) and Osawatomie Battle (August 1856)
This is relevant to essential question 1-2 as the violence that erupted caused more tension between the north and south. -
Caning of sumner
Senator sumner publicly disrespected democrats including senator butler. In retaliation Butlers nephew caned him in the senate chamber.
This is relevant to essential question 1-2 because a member of the party mostly supported by the south attacked a senator who was mostly supported by northerners. -
Dred scott v sandford case
A missouri slave sued for freedom claiming that his 4 year stay in the northern part of the louisiana territory made him free because of the missouri comp of 1820. The court ruled that he could not sue because he was property and not a citizen
This is relevant to question 1-3 "Why did the republicans win the 1860 presidential election" because it created a division among the democrats and strengthened the democrats allowing them to garner a higher percentage of votes. -
John browns raid at harpers ferry
John brown + 20 men took over a federal arsenal. The plan was to arm slaves and support a slave uprising however it failed and he was hung for treason. He became a martyr to abolitionists and caused panic to slave owners
This is relevant to essential question 1-3 because it widened the split between northern and southern democrats; southern Fire-eaters blamed northerners for the raid. The split created in the party left room for the republicans to win -
Period: to
First and second waves of secession
After Lincoln (known opposition to slavery) won the 1860 election SC saw him as a threat and chose to secede (Dec 1860). Other slave states such as Florida, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Louisiana followed Dec 1860-Feb 1861(first wave of secession). Then later in Apr 1861-Jun 1861 Virginia, Arkansas, NC, and Tennessee (second wave of secession)
This is relevant to 1-4 "why did the civil war begin in 1861" as it shows the point in which America split into two sides. -
Confederate states of america
States that seceded formed the CSA and on April 12th 1861 they attacked fort sumter marking the official beginning of the civil war. On april 17th 1861 Virginia joined them and Richmond, Virginia became the capital of the CSA. (Border states: Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri and after 1863 West Virginia)
This is relevant to essential question 1-4 because the attack on fort sumter is the direct reason the civil war began/the starting point of violence between the Union and Confederacy.