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Fugitive Slave Act
Proslavery forces held the alleged fugitives were not entitled to a trial. Anyone convicted of helping runaway slaves would be punished. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Established sovereignty, (the right for citizens to vote for slavery) in the new territory. -
Dred Scott Case
Case held that being on free land, did not make a slave free. Appeared to permit and even guarantee the expansion of slavery. -
Raid at Harpers Ferry
Attempt to ignite a general slave uprising. Led by John Brown. US Marines captured Brown, found him guilty of murder and treason and was executed. -
Election of Abraham Lincoln
Republican nominee Abraham Lincoln defeats John C. Breckinridge. -
South Carolina seceded from the Union
Convinced that a Republican administration would attempt to undermine slavery by appointing antislavery judges, postmasters, military officers and other officials, South Carolina voted unanimously voted to leave the Union. -
Civil War Begins
The war began when the Confederates bombarded Union soldiers at Fort Sumter. -
Battle at Fredricksburg
Confederacy defeats the Union. South looks too tough to beat. -
Battle at Chancellorsville
Condefreacy defeats the Union, but Stonewall Jackson is shot and killed. -
Battle at Gettysburg
Union wins. Lee and the confederacy is pushed back to Virginia. -
Battle at Vicksburg
Union wins and gains control of Mississippi River. -
Battle at Atlanta
Union wins and major Confederate city (Atlanta) is destroyed. -
Confederates Surrender
Robert E Lee and the confederates surrender to the Union at Appomattox Court House. -
14th Amendment Was Passed
Equal protection was granted to former slaves and they were considered citizens if they were born in the United States.