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Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise made Missouri become a slave state(making Missouri the 24th state admitted into the union). Also, it made Maine a free state and anything above the 36'30' became a free state except Missouri. -
Wilmot Proviso
Pennsylvania representative David Wilmot suggested that slavery should not exist in any part of a territory that might be acquired from Mexico. This law passed in the House, but rejected in the Senate. -
California Statehood
In 1849, California applied for admission to the Union as a free state, but the North and South argued on what California should be. In the Compromise of 1850, California became a free state and New Mexico and Utah became territories open to slavery. -
Fugitive Slave Law
The Fugitive Slave Law declared that all runaway slaves be returned to their owners. Although, the Northerners did not want to enforce it and the Southerners felt it didn't do enough. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin Published
Uncle Tom's Cabin was a book written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Her inspiration came to her from a vision she had in church and her book turned millions of Northerners against slavery. -
Onsted Manifesto
The Onsted Manifesto was a message sent by three American diplomats to urge the U.S. government to seize Cuba by force if Spain continued to refuse to sell it. President Franklin Pierce tried to buy the island. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act made both Kansas and Nebraska territories open to slavery and was created by Senator Stephen A. Douglas. -
Raid on Lawrence, Kansas
A posse of about 800 men that were pro-slavery went to Lawrence, Kansas and the people of Lawrence didn't resist. But they weren't satisified and decided to destroy the town. -
Charles Sumner Beating
Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts was beaten by South Carolina representative Preston Brooks because Brooks had been upset about his speech made entitled "The Crime Against Kansas"(the goal of this speech was to reveal the South's plot to make Kansas a slave state and Brooks felt he was defending the South). Although this did not kill him, Northerners felt this was another example of how brudal the South was. -
John Brown Invades Pottawatomie, Kansas
John Brown and his seven followers invaded the pro-slavery town of Pottawatomie, Kansas. They hacked five men with swords because they were suspected of supporting slavery. -
Dred Scott Decision
The Dred Scott decision was to debate whether Dred Scott was allowed to sue for his freedom because he was a slave that traveled to Wisconsin with his owner and then claimed to be free because he was in a free state. The Supreme Court ruled that he could not sue because he was not a citizen. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
Lincoln-Douglas debates were a series of debates between Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen Douglas. Most of the debates were about the issue of slavery. -
Harper's Ferry Raid
John Brown raided Harper's Ferry, Virginia and planned to seize the federal arsenal to stop slavery. All of Brown's men were killed and Brown was found guilty for treason and was sentenced to die. -
Abraham Lincoln Elected President of the United States
The race for Lincoln's predidency was between three other candidates: Stephen Douglas, John C. Breckinridge, and John Bell. Lincoln won with 40% of the votes. -
South Carolina Secedes
In Charleston, South Carolina, delegates gathered and voted to leave the union. The city was screaming with approval and soon to follow this came a newspaper article entitled "THE UNION IS DISSOLVED". -
Fort Sumter Attack
Hot heads in Charleston, South Carolina opened fire on Fort Sumter. The fort surrendured after thirty-three hours. This caused patriotic fury in the North.
