-
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was the major beginning to the expansion of the United States. It also marked the beginning of the expansion of slavery. -
Missouri Compromise
Forbided slaver above Missouri's southern border in any territory aquired by the United States. The beginning debate that lead to the Civil War. -
Nat Turner's Rebellion
Nat Turner, along with about 70 slaves and free blacks, killed about 55 to 65 whites. In response the South formed militias and made tougher laws on slaves and free blacks. -
Compromise of 1850
Concieved by Clay, and passed by Douglas. It was five different bills, that would divide up how slavery would work in the Union and its territories. It made people uncomfortable, but they thought it would end the debate on slavery. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act required law enforcement to actively track down slaves. Before, most Northerners did not care, but now they could be fined, and this stirred a lot of complaint in the North. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin Published
Uncle Tom's Cabin was the best selling book of its time. It fueled the abolition movement of the 1850's and brought up many stereotypes of the south. North used it as a tool. The South hated it. The world was astonished by it. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Steven Douglas's repeal to the Compromise of 1850. It stated that any territory or state could vote on slavery through popular soverereignty. -
Bleeding Kansas Begins
From 1854 to 1861, Kansas was a "war" fought between slavery supporters and abolitionist. It was to see if Kansas would be pro slavery or free. Showed how both North and South would fight and kill over slavery. -
Dred Scott Decision
The Supreme Court ruled that a person could be a slave, even if they lived in a free state or territory for years. This angered many people. This showed how states could over rule the Constitution. -
Lincoln's House Divided Speech
One of Lincoln's more well known speeches, This was one of the speeches he used during the Lincoln-Douglas debates. It said either the Union would be all slave or all free states. North loved it. South hated it. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
Seven debates between Lincoln and Douglas. The debates previewed what the Presidential Election of 1860 would hold. The big issue of slavery. -
John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry
John Brown's attempt to start a slave rebellion. He and 18 followers took over an engine house for 2 days. They wanted to equip slaves in Virginia, with firearms in an attempt to abolish slavery. The plan failed. Federal forces, led by Robert E. Lee, stormed the engine house. Killing Brown's son, and arresting John. John Brown was then hanged for treason shortly after.
