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Slavery Begins
A ship arrives to the colony of Virginia. Settlers purchased 20 Africans from the ship to use as indentured servants. It was not long after this that Africans coming to the colonies were treated as slaves or "servants for life". -
Virginia Makes Slavery Legal
Virginia makes slavery legal. -
Decision by the Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress decides "that no slaves be imported into any of the thirteen United Colonies." -
The Declaration of Independence
The colonies declare their independence from England. A declaration is written that states that "all men are created equal". However, slavery remains legal in the colonies. -
Vermont Abolishes Slavery
Vermont is the first government entity (it's still a colony, not a state yet) to abolish slavery. -
Three-Fifths Compromise
Representation in the House and Electoral College will be increased by allowing a slave to count as three-fifths of a person. -
Slave Trade Forbidden
Slave trade is now forbidden in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. -
Gabriel Prosser Plot
A slave named Gabriel Prosser leads a large group of armed slaves in a plot to capture Virginia's governor, James Monroe and hold him hostage in exchange for his freedom. Before he could put his plan into action, he and his conspirators were captured and executed. -
Slave Trade Ban
Congress passes a law that bans all Americans from participating in the slave trade starting January 1, 1808. -
The Missouri Compromise
This compromise allowed Maine to be admitted to the Union as a free state, and Missouri as a slave state. This created a balance of free and slave states and created an imaginary line across the continent that divided the free states to the north and slave states to the south. -
Nat Turner Rebellion
Nat Turner, a Virgina slave, leads a revolt that results in the deaths of over 50 whites and 100 blacks. Turner fled but was eventually caught and executed. -
Compromise Tariff Act
Congress adopts a compromise to lift the financial burden placed on the southern states due to the increase in tariffs from 1832. This avoids a confrontation between the northern and southern states. -
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad is formed by black abolitionist Robert Purvis. -
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman escapes from Maryland. By the start of the Civil War, she made many trips to the south and helped lead over 300 slaves to freedom. -
The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise allows for California to enter the Union as a free state, and the territories of Utah and New Mexico are allowed to decide for themselves. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" is published in its enirety. The book depicts the slave owner as evil and the slave as a hero. This book is infuriates the south and it is banned in most southern states. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Missouri Compromise is overturned and the Northwest territories are allowed to decide for themselves regarding slavery. This causes a major disruption in the Democratic Party and sparks the creation of the Republican Party in the North. -
Dred Scott Decision
In the case of Scott v. Sanford, the Supreme Court rules that blacks are not considered U.S. citizens and a ban on slavery is now considered unconstitutional. -
Harper's Ferry
Abolitionist John Brown leads a group of 21 men, including 5 blacks, in an armed revolt at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. This is considered treason in the state of Virginia and John Brown is hanged. He becomes an antislavery martyr. -
Lincoln is Elected
Abraham Lincoln is elected president. -
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina creates a Declaration of Secession due to its belief that the antislavery laws established by the Government promote the destruction of the south. South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the Union. -
Fort Sumter
Under the cover of darkness, Major Robert Anderson moves the federal troops from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter. This angers the secessionist and the next day the South Carolina troops move into the abandoned Fourt Moultrie. -
The Confederacy is Born
A provisional Constitution of the Confederacy is created in Montgomery, Alabama. This is the beginning of the Confederacy. -
Lincoln is Inaugurated
Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated as the 16th president of the United States. -
The War Begins
Major Anderson knows that his troops will be starved out of Fort Sumter if relief doesn't some soon. The Confederate troops know this also, and know that relief for Major Anderson's troops will arrive soon. At 4:30 AM the Confederate troops bombard Fort Sumter for 34 hours until Major Anderson surrenders Fort Sumter to the Confederates.
