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Slavery
Slavery had started before the 1800s but had the largest effect as of the pre-Civial War events. Slavery was a double sided issue that led to the separation of the union. The north had began to one-by-one abolish slavery, while the south had no thought to stop. The north had tried to preserve the union, while the south only tried to better themselves, by becoming an independent nation. They were in great need of slaves because they didn't forego the newest technology and had manual labor. -
Abolitionist Movement
The Abolitionist Movement caused by those who wanted to have the institution abolished in the United States becoming more influential and loud, They claimed obedience to "higher law" over obedience to the contitution's guarantee that a fugitive from one state would be considered a fugitive in all states. 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' and the fugitive slave act expanded the support for abolishing slavery nationwide. -
Missouri Compromise
The territories gained from the United States- Mexican war (1846-1848) are what's known as the missouri compromise. This furthered the debate on slavery. Abolitionists fought to have slavery declared illegal in the territories, as the North Ordinance og 1787 had done in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin territories. Fearing and hoping that slavery would be outlawed, pro and anti-slavery groups hurried to populate the New territories. -
The Underground Railroad
Abolitionists actively helped runaway slaves to escape via the Underground Railroad, so much support led to attacks on the men sent to retrieve the missing slaves. Northerns wanted to choose parts of the constitution they would enforce, while the south was expected to honor the entire document. Harriet Tubman was one of the most famous activist who also a nurse and double shifted that as a spy. -
Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin was an anti-slavery novel that reached an anti-slavery news paper in 1851 in serial form. By 1852 it was published in book format. The story became a nation even worldwide best seller supporting the evils of slavery. The book's initial goal was to start a wave of anti-slavery across the nation, it was achieved. President Lincoln had said "So you're the woman who wrote the book that started this great war" after reading and meeting the book and the author. -
John Brown
Mostly in Kansas, violent clashes between the two sides of slavery. The abolitionists, had one come out to be famous or even infamous depending of the view point. Famous or infamous due to the battles that killed pro-slavery settlers in Kansas. Brown left Kansas to further his victories closer to the heart or base of slavery, deeper in the south. -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott was a slave who gained citizenship through the American legal system. His case Dred Scott vs Sanford (Dred Scott Decision) ended up in the supreme court. In 1857 he was denied his request stating no person with African blood could become an United States citizen. -
Election of Abraham Lincoln
On the political sides of things, the whig political party was slowing decending. The American party, or the Know Nothings had gained most of the whig's followers, while the others who had opposed slavery joined and created a new party, the Republican party. Republican Abraham Lincoln had won the election 1859. Lincoln was against the slavery expansion, southerns feared him greatly. -
States' Rights
States' Rights refers to the struggle between the federal government and individual states over political power. During this "Civil War era" it focused immensely on the institution of slavery, and whether the federal government had the right to regulate or even abolish slavery within an individual state. The sides were largely drawn between the North and South, greatening the division of the nation. -
Fort Sumter
On April 10, the opponents were on their way to Fort Sumter in the habor of Charleston, South Carolina. Provisionals at the fort had demanded its surrendered. At that time, the commander of the fort refused. On April 12, the confederates started fire using cannons. That same day at 2:30, the commander, Major Anderson, surrenered.
