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The Publishing of "Uncle Tom's Cabin"
"Uncle Tom's Cabin" was a novel published by Harriet Beecher Stow that promoted anti-slavery. It had a huge impact on the abolitionist movement and caused further controversy and conflict between the North and South. -
The Founding of the Republican Party
The modern republican party was founded in 1854 and stood against slavery(slavery being the major focus of the country during this time). They also supported the ideas of free homestead legislation, the establishment of a daily mail service, a transcontinental railroad, and a protective tariff. They were generally more liberal than the democratic party of the time. -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act was a piece of legislation presented by Stephen Douglas. When passed it repealed the Missouri Compromise, created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, hence the name, and allowed for popular sovereignty within the territories regarding slavery. -
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Bloody Kansas
Bloody Kansas was a violent period of prolonged conflict within Kansas that resulted from the passing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. This was because the population was divided regarding the legality of slavery resulting in ongoing fighting between the anti-slavery and pro-slavery groups. -
Brooks-Sumner Incident
The Brooks-Sumner Incident resulted from the conflict primarily between the North and South over the legality of slavery within the United States. This occurred within the U.S Senate Chamber where Representative Preston Brooks a pro-slavery democrat from South Carolina snuck up behind Senator Charles Sumner an anti-slavery republican and attacked him with his cane. -
The Election of 1856
The Election of 1856 was one of the most "heated" in U.S history. It resulted in the election of pro-slavery Democrat James Buchanan. It was incredibly close as if 2 more states had voted in favor of the Republican candidate John C. Fremont he would have won. There was constant slander of the other party by both sides during this election. -
Dred Scott v. Sandford
The Dred Scott V. Sandford Supreme Court case was one of great importance. It resulted in the ruling that African Americans, whether free or not, weren't American citizens and could not sue in federal court. In this case, it was also ruled that Congress lacked the power to ban slavery in U.S territories. -
Lecompton Constitution Ordered for Printing
As a result of popular sovereignty in the Kansas territory, the Lecompton Constitution was drafted and proposed by state legislature. It was a pro-slavery document that protected the rights to own slaves and excluded African Americans from the state's bill of rights. It was voted on and became law, this was recognized by the president and Kansas was admitted to the Union as a slave state. -
House Divided Speech
In Lincoln's "House Divided" speech he spoke on the decision made by the Supreme Court in the Dred Scott case. He believed it opened up the possibility of the legalization of slavery in the North. As Lincoln addressed Springfield, IL but more importantly all those against slavery he stated that they must act now if they wanted the U.S to become an entirely free country. -
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The Lincoln Douglas Debates
The main focus of the Lincoln Douglas Debates was slavery and its current and lasting effect on the country, including topics such as emancipation, racial equality, popular sovereignty, and slave power. Both Lincoln and Douglas were fighting for what they believed would be best for the country. Throughout the debates, Lincoln accused Douglas of wanting to nationalize slavery and Douglas accused Lincoln of being an abolitionist. -
The Raid on Harper's Ferry
The Raid on Harper's Ferry was an armed assault on Harper's Ferry, Virginia, led by abolitionist John Brown. The purpose of this raid was to collect weapons from the armory that would be used to arm slaves and start a revolt. -
The Execution of John Brown
John Brown was executed on December 2nd, 1859 for committing treason against the Union as a result of his raid on Harper's Ferry where he attempted to steal weapons to arm slaves and start a revolt. As John Brown was a central icon in the abolitionist movement his execution resonated throughout those against slavery and throughout history. -
The Election of 1860
In The Election of 1860, there were four presidential candidates, Lincoln, Douglas, Breckinridge, and Bell. In the South Bell and Breckinridge were pitted against each other while in the North it was between Lincoln and Douglas. Douglas was the only one with a national campaign and the Republicans did not campaign in the south at all. Lincoln won via electoral college votes only receiving 39.9% of the popular vote. This election truly showed how divided the nation had become. -
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Period of Secession
Following The Election of 1860 in which Lincoln was elected president 11 slave states seceded from the Union between 1860 and 1861. The result of the secession of these states was the American Civil War where the seceded states came together as the Confederacy and fought against the Union. -
Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
In Lincolns First Inaugural Address, he was forced to address the 11 states who seceded from the Union as a result of his election. To do this he stated that he had no intention to interfere with states where slavery was still legal. He also attempted to sustain support for him in the North and rejected the right of any state to secede.