Pre Civil War Timeline

  • Missouri Compromise

    Missouri Compromise
    Missouri became a slave state and Maine became a free state to keep things equal
  • Compromise of 1850

    Compromise of 1850
    Five separate bills passed by the United States in 1850 to balance the interest of slaveholding south and free the north preventing withdraw of southern States the could lead to dismissal of the Union.
  • Fugitive slave act

    Fugitive slave act
    The act required that slaves be returned to their owners even if they were in a free state. Made federal government responsible for returning/ finding and trying out escaped slaves. Later Vermont created a law that any enslaved person can be free.
  • Uncle Tom's Cabin Published

    Uncle Tom's Cabin Published
    An anti-slavery novel by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Tells story of uncle tom an enslaved person
  • Kansas-Nebraska Act

    Kansas-Nebraska Act
    They hoped Kansas would become and enslaved state, it led to war and slavery would now spread to states that have been free for more the 30 years.
  • Dred Scott case

    Dred Scott case
    Enslaved people were not citizens of the United States and, therefore, could not expect any protection from the federal government or the courts. Scott was enslaved for many years.
  • John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry

    John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry
    A slave revolt in southern states by taking over the United states at Harpers Ferry Virginia. Brown encouraged the slavery revolt. Brown was found to be guilty for murder and treason, Brown was later given the death penalty.
  • Election of 1860

    Election of 1860
    Abraham Lincoln won the presidential election of 1860 in a four way contest. A convention was held in Charleston, South Carolina, southerns wanted the party to call for slavery in all new territories, northerns democracy refused to do so.
  • South Carolina secedes

    South Carolina secedes
    On December 20th 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede to break free. Many states followed after break away from slavery. Then Abraham Lincoln was elected, South Carolina legislature felt threatened.