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The Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise stated that if Missouri applied for statehood as a slave state, then Maine had to apply as a free state. This helped prevent the Civil War because it preserved the balance between slave and free states and temporarily paused the debate over slavery. -
Nathaniel Turner's Rebellion
Nathaniel Turner's rebellion was a violent rampage in Southhampton County, Virginia. 55 whites were killed by Turner and his followers during this event. This event contributed to the Civil War because it was the turning point for slave revolts and encouraged other slaves to revolt. This caused conflict among the people which led to war. -
Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso was a proposal introduced by David Wilmot that would ban slavery in any lands that might be acquired from Mexico. As a result, the Wilmot Proviso caused conflict among the states due to the ban of slavery in states acquired from Mexico. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was a compromise made up of five bills separated from Senator Henry Clay's plan that were passed to help solve the slavery debate. This compromise helped prevent the Civil War because it tried to put a stop to the ongoing slavery debate. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act was as attempt to pacify slaveholders and it was a part of the Compromise of 1850. Also, the Fugitive Slave Act required all citizens to help catch runaways. This contributed to the Civil War because it helped support slavery. -
The Kansas - Nebraska Act- "Bleeding Kansas"
The Kansas - Nebraska Act replaced the Missouri Compromise when it was passed. It was an organization of the region west of Missouri and Iowa as the territories of Kansas and Nebraska. This helped the Civil War because it caused violence among the states. For example, "Bleeding Kansas" was a time when some slavery supporters attacked the town of Lawrence, which was a town of antislavery settlers, and they burned the Free State Hotel and destroyed two newspaper offices along with many homes. -
Bleeding Kansas
This attack played a major role in the Civil War because many other violent outbursts occured after this one and soon led to war. -
The Dred-Scott Case
The Dred-Scott Case was a case that envolved an enslaved African American named Dred Scott. He was bought by an army doctor in Missouri, a slave state, but the doctor then moved to a household in Illinois, a free state. Dred Scott decided to sue for his freedom due to this issue. This case contributed to the Civil War because it angered many antislavery supporters in the states. -
John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry
John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry took place after the 1858 election because some Southeners felt threatened by Republicans. This raid was led by abolitionist John Brown who led a group of people on a raid on Harper's Ferry, Virginia. The main focus for this raid was the arsenal. This even contributed to the Civil War because it was another act of violence directed toward slavery. In conclusion, John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry was one of the many violent acts that impacted the Civil War. -
Lincoln's Election
Lincoln's election was a pivotal election during this time. Lincoln planned to address many things during his presideny such as: seceding, slavery, and other topics. His election supported the start of the Civil War because of his controversial thoughts about slavery. Many people supported slavery during this time while Lincoln did not. This angered numerous people causing them to dislike Lincoln; therefore pushing the nation closer to war. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
The Battle of Fort Sumter was a battle between the union and the confederate states. Lincoln announced that we was sending an unarmed ship with supplies to Fort Sumter and that they would not fire unless fired upon. Governor Francis Pickens fired upon the fort before the ship with more supplies got there and forced surrender. This event started the Civil War.
