Slavery ad Civil War Timeline By Lali E 1776 US declares independence Period: 1776 to 1865 US declares independence - last slaves freed in Texas 1803 Louisiana Purchase 1820 Missouri Compromise 1820 Undergroud railroad 1831 Trail of Tears 1848 War with Mexico 1849 Harriet Tubman escapes 1850 Fugitive slave law 1857 Dred Scott loses case 1858 Lincoln vs. Douglas debates Nov 6, 1860 Lincoln Elected President Dec 20, 1860 South Carolina sucedes Jul 8, 1861 Eleven Southern states sucede