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Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise, founded by Henry Clay in 1820, states that for each slave state added to the nation, there will also be a free state added. The Missouri Compromise was the beginnging of sectionalism due to the divide between the North and South at the 36*30' N line. (South adapted slavery and a life based around agriculture. On the other hand, the North became a large area for industrial revolution, including the development of railroads, large cities, and factories.) -
Nat Turner Rebellion
Nat Turner, a religious leader amoung the African Americans, believed that God spoke to him and wanted Nat to kill white slaveowners as a form of rebellion. Nat and a small group killed 55 white men and women in the Southhampton County in Virginia. This rebellios act had become the start of harsher slave codes, more rebellion amound the slaves and their owners, and a fear to those that owned slaves. The form of rebellion that Nat inflicted was very uncommon and shocking in that time period. -
Wilmont Proviso
The Mexican War had just begun, David Wilmont (Pennsylvania) had proposed that slavery should be baned in any lands that might be acquired from Mexico. In other words, the Wilmot Proviso was an attempt to stop the movement of slavery further West. The South objects due to fear of the change in slave authorization everywhere. This was also the start of the States Rights argument. -
Compromise of 1850
Henry Clay suggested that California becomes a free state and the other (new) territories have no limit on slavery, and there would be no slave trading in Washington D.C., but the ownership of slaves would be allowed. Callhoun, however, believed that the Nation needs to keep slaves for all the Southerners. Stephen A. Douglas deciede that the bill would be much easier to vote on if the House could vote in sections. Five of the bills were passed, which was the start of the Compromise of 1850. -
Fugitive Slave Act
Henry Clay got Congress to pass the Fugitive Slave Act, which forced anyone in the North to return any runnaway slaves. This act was intened to show the North their rights, but in reality the North began to see the harm in slaveholding. This act caused the formation of the Underground Railroad, antislavery groups, and the funding of freedom for slaves. The South would try to capture African American people that we not fugitives, which angered the people in the North, which began more rebellions -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Stephen A Douglas proposed that the lands west of Missouri and Iowa would become Kansas and Nebraska. Kansas and Nebraska both seemed like they would be free states due to the location. If there were more free states, it would give the free more votes in senate. Douglas also believes that we should get rid of the Missouri Compromise and let the people in each state vote on wether slavery is allowed or not. -
Dred-Scott Case
Dred Scott was a slave to an army doctor, in the 1830's. He lived in Missouri, then moved to Illinois, then Wisconsin Territory, and finnaly, back to Missouri. In Missouri, the doctor (slaveowner) died and Scott sued for his freedom due to the fact that he had lived in free areas. Chief Justice Roger B. Taney claimed that Scott was to remain a slave and being a slave, he didn't have the right to bring forth a lawsiut. Taney stood under the grounds of the 5th ammendment, stating... Cont. -
Dred-Scott Case Cont.
the government does not hold the authority to take away property. In the eyes of the court, slaves were considered property. Taney also claims that Congress couldn't allow or prohibit slavery in any territory. He believes that the Missouri Compromise was unconsitiutional, as well as popular soverignty. The people do not hold any power to "take away property". As a result of the Dred-Scott Case, the counrty divided further away. -
John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry
John Brown was an abolitionist, who lead a attack on Harpers Ferry in Virginia. Brown's goal was to arm slaves, so that they could fight for their rights. His raid was stopped by locals and federal troops. Later, he was hung for his violent acts and murder. Fellow abolitionists saw Brown's acts as a victory for the movement, whereas others saw the raid as violent acts that caused trouble. This raid caused other abolitionists to become more "fired up" to free slaves. -
Lincon's Election
Lincon was a republican, which means that he supported the end of slavery. He promised that he would not change any states, in the terms of free or slave states, but any new states would be free states. Southerners believed that this promise would promote rebellions, thus, Lincon's name didn't appear on many ballots in the South; however, Lincon still won. His victory caused South Carolina, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and
Florida to secede from the Union. Cont. -
Battle at Fort Sumter
Lincon was informed that Fort Sumter was low on supplies and the Confederates were forcing their surrender. Lincon told Pickens that he would send unarmed men with supplies to aid the fort. The Confederites attackked before the supplies reaches them.
