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The End of The Mexican War Ended
America was given more western terriotries and this begged the question whether they would be turned into states. They also wondered whether these new states would be free or slave states. The solution to this problem was the Compromise of 1850 so that each state would decide whether it was free or slave. -
The Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act was contradictory to the Compromise of 1850 but they were passed together. It forced officials to catch runaway slaves or pay a fine. This increased activity in the Underground Rail Road and abolitionists efforts to get rid of slavery. -
The Book Uncle Tom's Cabin Was Released
The controversial book Uncle Tom's Cabin was released and written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, This book showed the evils of slavery and impacted the way people from the north saw slavery. This helped further the cause of abolitionists. -
Northerners Are Shocked By Bleeding Kansas
Kansas became an active place where pro and anti slavery fights broke out. They fought so much that it was nicknamed "Bleeding Kansas." -
Charles Sumner is Attacked by Preston
The pro-slavery Congressman Preston Brooks attacked Charles Sumner who was giving a speech insulting the pro-slavery groups. -
The Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott tried to prove he should be free since he was enslaved while living in a free state. The Court overruled this saying that he didn't have any rights since he was more like property than a person. This enraged abolitionists and this made them increase their efforts. -
Lecompton Constitution Rejected
The Lecompton Constitution was made so that Kansas would be a slave state however it was rejected. It was rejected by Kansas voters. -
John Brown Raided Harper's Ferry
John Brown was an abolitionist who had been involved in anti-slavery violence in Kansas. He war more of a man of action and he raided the aresenal located in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. He and his men were eventually killed by Colonel Robert E. Lee. -
Abraham Lincoln Was Elected Presisdent
Many states seceded from the Union because Abraham Lincoln was elected President. Lincoln agreed with the majority of the Republican Party, saying that the South was becoming too powerful and tried to not let slavery spread to new territories.
