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Missouri Compromise
In 1820, the senate proposed a way to resolve the free and slave state imbalance. They suggested that Missouri join the US as a slave state, and Maine join as a free state. It also suggested that all of the Louisiana Purchase area above 36 30'N latitude. This brought about a temporary lull in debate over the slavery issue and preserded the balance between Slave and Free. -
Nathaniel Turner's Rebellion
In 1831, Nathaniel Turner, under the beleif that he was apointed by God, lead several slaves to a violent revolt in the Mississippi area, killing several slave owners. This caused the slave owners to become suspicios and afraid of the slaves. -
WIlmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso suggested that slavery be banned in all terrritories gained from Mexico. This idea alarmed many Southerners and angered republicans. The South pushed harder for slavery and secesion. -
Compromise of 1850
Int the Compromise of 1850, Clay proposed that California enter as a free state and all other territories would have no limits on slavery. In addition, the Compromise would ban slave trade in Washington DC, but not slaves. Finally, Clay pushed for a firmer fugitive slave law. This Compromise helped settle issues between the North and South and prepmoted the Fugitive Slave Act. -
Fugitive Slave Act
As an attempt to passify slave holders, Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act, which forced all runaway slaves to be returned to the South. Many Northerners, however, refused to obey the fugitive slave act and, as a result, angered the South. The South thought that this act would force the North to acknowledge their states rights, instead, it only increased the belief against slavery. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act proposed that all states be allowed to vote to be free or slave states. Many Northerners protested, due to the fact that this would allow slavery in areas that were free at the time. However, backed by the South and by President Pierce, the Act passed in 1854 and promoted the idea of popular sovereignty. -
The Dred Scott Case First Argued
Dred Scott was an enslaved African American bought by an army doctor in Missouri, a slave state. The doctor then moved to Wisconson Territory, where slavery was banned, and back to Missouri, where he died. Dred Scott then sued for his freedom, on the grounds that he had once lived in a free state, and thus shoud be a free African American. -
Dred Scott Case Decided
The court's decision on the Dred Scott Case shocked the nation. Cheif Justice Roger B. Taney declared that Scott was still enslaved because he was property, and the Constitution banned the taking of property. Taney also wrote that Congress had no power to prohibit slavery in any territoty and the Constitution protected slavery. The Court's descision enraged many Northerners and further divided the nation -
Raid on Harper's Ferry
In late 1859, the abolitionist John Brown led a small group on a raid on Harper's Ferry. He was looking for an arsenal, or a storage sight for weapons. His hope was to arm enslaved African Americans against their owners. This further added to Souther Slaveholder's fear of the Republicans. -
Lincoln's Election
The slavery issue divided the democrats. The Northern democrats nominated Stephen Douglas for his support of popular sovereignty. Southern Democrats believed that John C. Breckenridge would help them support slavery. The Republicans nominated Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln won because the democrats were divided. Although the Republicans promised to leave slavery where it already existed, many Southerners feared the Republicans. This election was a major step to the secession of the South. -
Battle at Fort Sumter
Confederate forced had seized some forts within their states. Lincoln decided that, although he wanted to avoid war, the forts had to be taken back. Shortly after recieving the message that Fort Sumter was short on supplies, Lincoln sent an unarmed expedition to Fort Sumter to deliver supplies. He refused to fire first, but told his troops to fire only if they were shot at. The Confederate forces attacked, and the fort eventually surrendered. This battle was the beginning of the Civil War.
