Sectionalism "Running" Timeline

Missouri Compromise

1812

In the Missouri Compromise, the main issue was whether new states would be admitted as free or slave states. In the Missouri Compromise, the North and South were impacted differently because it affected the balance of power in Congress. The Missouri Compromise increased tensions by making slavery a national political issue.

Fugitive Slave act

1850

The main issue was slaves running away from their plantations in the South, and going instead to the North. The North was very affected because they had to "turn in" Slaves. This made tensions increase because people were capturing slaves in the North and bringing them to the South.

The Compromise of 1850

1850

California got added as a free state. The North had the Fugitive Slave act enstated as a response to them getting California. It created the Fugitive Slave act, which was one of the most controversial topics at the time.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

1851

In the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the states of Kansas and Nebraska were able to choose by popular sovereignty if they were slave or free states. Many people moved to Kansas and Nebraska to try and push for them to be slave/free, causing a lot of fights. The battles that ensued really proved to America that they were at the highest tensions yet.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin Published

1852

Uncle Tom's cabin was about how slavery should be abolished. The North was primarily affected by the book Uncle Tom's Cabin. Many people were more emotional about the issue of slavery.

Bleeding Kansas and Harpers Ferry

1854

Both of these included huge battles and fights over the issue of slavery. Many people were the targets of attacks and rebellions in the area. Each side saw the people who were fighting for their cause as heroes, and the people who were fighting for the other one as the enemy.

Dred Scott Decision

1857

A slave sued his owner, and the court ruled that the slave could not sue, as he was property and not a man. This showed to the North that the South was unwilling to treat slaves as humans, even in court. The North thought that slaves should be able to vote, and the South thought that slaves were property.

John Brown’s Trial and Execution

1859

John Brown was a prominent abolitionist who decided to lead a raid on Harper’s Ferry, which ended up in his arrest. He was later executed. The North got upset because of the unfair ruling of treason against John Brown. The North admired him and got upset that the South executed him.

Election of Abraham Lincoln

1860

Abraham Lincoln was elected. The South did not like Abraham Lincoln and his abolitionist ideals. The South Seceded from the United States of America.