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In the early 17th century, European settlers in North America bring 20 African slaves to America in a dutch ship. The slaves are cheap, and they are perfect for the hard farm work in early America. These are the first of many slaves to be taken to America.
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The first of two Fugitive Slave Acts, the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 was passed by congress and permitted local governments to seize fugitive slaves and return them to their owners. Anyone who aided in the escape of the slaves, even white men, were punished by the governments.
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The Slave Trade Act is passed in 1807, prohibiting anyone from bringing slaves into the country from anywhere outside of America after the first of January, 1808.
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Declared that their had to be an even number of slave states and free states.
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The Wilmot Proviso was pressed in order to eliminate slavery from the land gained after the Mexican-American War.
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Divisions over new territory gained in the Mexican-American War were resolved. A compromise was reached declaring that California was a free state. Utah and New Mexico were created, but the decision of them being slave or free states was left to popular sovereignty.
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Gave more power to local governments in terms of capturing runaway slaves and punishing those who aided in the escape of slaves.
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Harriet Beecher Stowe publishes Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which receives critical acclaim and revealed the brutality of slavery to all who ignored it. It is banned in the South, raising suspicion of the citizens in the South.
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A series of violent confrontations in Kansas between anti-slavery activists and pro-slavery activists.
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Declared that slavery was prohibited in states north of latitude 36°30´.
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The Supreme court declares that Dred Scott is not free, as well as declaring that slaves do not have any rights, including the right to take someone to trial.
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The U.S. military’s arsenal at Harpers Ferry was targeted by an armed band of abolitionists, led by John Brown. It was the first phase of a plan to create a sanctuary for free-slaves. However; John Brown was captured during the raid and later executed.
