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Joanna's Timeline of Events Leading up to the Civil War
Civil War was a topic that no one wanted to even think about back in the 1800s, but what people back then didn't know, was that this war would effect the United States forever. It took only 6 events to push settlers over the limit but War finally broke out in the 1860s. -
Missouri Compromise
It agreed to admit Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. It also drew an imaginary line across the Lousiana Purchase at a latitude of 36,30'. Missouri was the only state above the line that allowed slavery, otherwise, it was illegal. This compromise solved problems but it also caused abolitionists to start their rebellions. This was the first event that forshadowed the Civil War. -
Compromise of 1850
It was written by Henry Clay. It agreed to admit California as a free state and give Utah and New Mexico the choice to allow slavery or not. This compromise also banished slave trade in Washington DC and formed a stronger fugitive slave law. This event caused many Southerners to complain as thier slaves continued to escape and Northernors weren't happy that slavery was still taking place. -
Kansas - Nebraska Act
It was written by Stephen Douglas as a 1st copy but Southerners would only vote for it if they could make some changes. The final copy was passed so the Kansas and Nebraska territories were created and the Missouri Compromise line no longer existed. Popular soverighty would decide the fate of each new state. This event gave reason for the Bloodshed in Kansas and the beating of Charles Sumner that eventually caused war. -
Dred Scott Decision
He was a Missouri slave that traveled to Wisconsin with his master but returned, still a slave so he filed to court for his freedom saying his visit to Wisconsin should consider him a free man. The supreme Court voted that Dred Scott couldn't sue for freedom because he wasn't a citizen and that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional. This sparked anger into many slaves and Northernors. Compromises soon turned to crisises that didn't end very well. -
Election of 1860
Rebublicans wanted Abraham Lincoln, Democrats wanted Stephen Douglas or John C. Breckinridge, and the Constitutional Union party wanted John Bell for president. These nominies were all elidgable but with the other candidates all divided into three different ways, Lincoln won. Southerners were angry because their vote was no longer needed. North had more power and that was a great crutial factor that played into the Civil War. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
The Confederate States opened fired on Fort Sumter in New York. The Union surrendered the fort and evacuated the next day. This event was the start of the Civil War.
