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Northwest Ordinance of 1787 (Social & Political, red)
Provided a path to statehood for the territories northwest of the Ohio River. Those territories were created into one territory where there would be a listed bill of rights, protecting religious freedom, the right to a writ of habeas corpus, and the right to trial by jury. In addition, the ordinance encouraged education and prohibited slavery. The territory, once it reached a population of 60,000, could apply for statehood under the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. -
The Missouri Compromise of 1820 (Political, green)
In 1820, there was an imbalance between slave states and free states as Missouri was about to be admitted into the union as a slave state. To offset the admission of Missouri, Maine was created to be admitted as a free state. The Missouri Compromise also defined the southern border of Missouri (the 36º30 parallel) as the line of demarcation for slave and free states. -
Nat Turner Rebellion (Social, red)
Nathaniel Turner led a small group of African Americans, armed with guns and axes. Turner & his men then broke into Benjamin Travis's home, killing him and his family in their sleep. Following this murder, Turner marched towards Jerusalem, VA, planning to capture the armoury at the county seat and move to Dismal Swamp to avoid being caught. On his march, Turner and his men left a trail of blood, killing over 60 white men, women, & children. Eventually found, Turner & his men were executed. -
The Gag Rule (Political, red)
Representative James Hammond of South Carolina proposed the gag rule instituted by the House of Representatives. The gag rule forbade the House from considering anti-slavery petitions and overall discussion of the issue of slavery. At first, only a small group of Congressmen, led by John Quincy Adams, opposed the gag rule. However, Adams saw it as a direct violation of the Constitution and fought against the gag rule, declaring it a restriction of free speech. -
Amistad Case (Political, red)
Portugese slave hunters abducted a large group of slaves from Africa and illegally sold them to Cuba, a center for slave trade. 53 purchased Africans were put aboard the Amistad. In July of 1839, the Africans seized the ship. When they arrived off the coast of Long Island, they were seized, ensuing two lawsuits. The district court judge in CT ruled they were free men and should be returned to Africa. The Supreme Court also ruled for the Africans, stating they were illegally taken from Africa. -
The Annexation of Texas (Political, red)
US announced claim to Texas in 1819. In 1829, Mexico passed legislation that promised newcomers' cheap land a 4 year exemption from taxes. This action encouraged migration into the new territory. However, this created concerns of conflict with Mexico and fear of large territory & increased votes for the South in Congress in the Electoral College. Delayed until 1845, Texas was eventually admitted. -
The Mexican War (Economic & Political, red)
Mexico viewed the annexation of Texas as an act of war. After Texas became a state, there was conflict over a boundary between Texas and Mexico with US claiming it the Rio Grande River while Mexico claiming it the Nueces River. Eventually, Mexico led an attack against US troops at Rio Grande in 1846 causing President Polk to respond. He asked Congress for the war declaration and received it. In 1846, Congress declared war on Mexico and eventually won, acquiring New Mexico and California. -
Wilmot Proviso (Political, red)
Proposed by David Wilmot. Prohibited slavery in any territory acquired from the Mexican War. This amendment was passed in House, but failed in the Senate. The Wilmot Proviso was debated on for years. -
California Gold Rush (Economic, red)
Created loads of immigration to California even though most were unlucky. However, many stayed for agricultural and other profits. Most travelled in families and left all behind for gold despite the fact that only few became rich off it. As many left behind everything, the 49ers stereotype began; all those who travelled to California were in search of gold. The CA gold rush created division as many from all over migrated to California. It also allowed CA to be admitted as a free state. -
The Compromsie of 1850 (Politcal, red)
Proposed by Henry Clay. It allowed for California to be admitted as a free state, formed territorial governments in lands acquired from Mexico without restricting slavery, abolished slave trade in DC, and established a more effective fugitive slave slaw. This caused many debates following Clay's idea of compromise. The Compromise of 1850 overturned the Missouri Compromise and left the issue of slavery unsettled. -
Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 (Policial & Social, red)
Apart of the Compromise of 1850, a more effective fugitive slave act was established. This was a law that made it a crime to help runaway slaves. It also allowed for escaped slaves to be arrested where slavery was illegal. This created a great deal of opposition and chaos as Southerners began to appear in northern states to pursue people they claimed were fugitives. -
Publication of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" (Social, red)
An abolitionist novel created by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It achieved wide popularity in the North as it dramatized the experience of slavery and changed the American view on the issue. -
Ostend Manifesto (Politcal, red)
After a series of unsuccessful attempts to purchase Cuba from Spain, a group of envoys sent a document recommending to seize Cuba by force. However, this was leaked to the public. Anti-slavery northerners were enraged because they thought it was an attempt to add another slave state. Southerners continued to oppose all efforts to acquire new territory that didn't support the slave system. It was overall unsuccessful. -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act (Politcial, red)
Proposed by Stephen A. Douglas. Douglas proposed the Nebraska Bill, claiming slave and free states would be chosen through popular sovereignty. It divided the unorganized territory into Kansas and Nebraska and repealed the MO Compromise. Disapproval arose as Southerners didn't want two free states and Northerners wanted to keep the MO Compromise. As the fight between slave and free states became an issue, it created a violent uprising known as "Bleeding Kansas." -
Bleeding Kansas 1855-1861 (Social & political, red)
Free and slave state groups had rushed to Kansas to try to legalize or prohibit slavery. Many pro-slavery men were determined to make Kansas a slave state, stuffing the ballot boxes with hundreds of fictitious ballots making sure that a high majority of pro-slavery men were voted into the legislature. This led to a response from the Anti-Slavery men, who formed their own government in Lawrence, Kansas. After this, a series of violent events followed(ex: Sac of Lawrence & Pottawatomie Massacre). -
Dred Scott Decision - Dred Scott v Stanford (Political, red)
Dred Scott was a slave brought to a free state by his master. Scott attempted to sue his master, claiming he should be free. In the Circuit Court, Dred Scott was granted his desired freedom as the Missouri Compromise and Northwest Ordinance allowed so. However, the case was appealed by the Supreme Court. By a 7-2 vote, it was declared that Scott was indeed property because of the 5th amendment. Because of this decision, it made the MO Compromise and Northwest Ordinance unconstitutional. -
John Brown and the Raid on Harpers Ferry (Policial & Social, red)
Abolitionist John Brown led a small group on a raid against a federal armoury in Harpers ferry, VA. This was an attempt to start an armed revolt of enslaved people to destroy slavery completely. He and 18 of his men seized control of the arsenal, rounding up hostages. By the next morning, Brown and his men were caught by Robert E. Lee and US soldiers, leading to the death of 10 of his men, two of which were his sons. Brown surrendered, was tried for treason, and was sentenced to death in VA. -
Crittenden Compromise (Political, red)
Proposed by John J. Crittenden. It would reinstate the Missouri Compromise by extending the line westward. It also would guarantee the existence of slavery in southern states. It also included that these amendments could not be repealed or modified by future amendments. At first, it was tabled, but it was eventually rejected by Congress.
