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Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise perserved a balance between slave and free states in the Senate. The Missouri Compromise had an immidiate effect; it created a temporary pause in the debate over slavery. However, this time of peace would not last for long. This compromise would be diffused in the 1850s do to arguments about Kansas and Nebraska. -
Nat Turner Rebellion
In August of 1831, Nat Turner claimed to have had a vision from God that told him to lead a rebellion. Turner felt that this rebellion was his destiny. On August 22, Nat Turner and his group of men begin the rebellion. They kill Turner's slaveholder family and then go farm to farm killing slaveholders. Turner and his group of men dissemble after killing 55 whites. The Nat Turner rebellion led to white slaveholders in the South being more suspicious of their slaves. -
Wilmot Proviso
Through the 1840s, the debate over slavery erupted voer new territories. David Wilmot, a representative from Pennsylvania, introduced a proposal. Named the Wilmot Proviso, it said that slavery would be banned in any land aquired form Mexico. Southerners did not agree with the Wilmot Proviso for fear that it would endanger slavery everywhere. This led to the South feeling that they had been deprived of their states rights, which would later become a big cause of the Civil War. -
Compromise of 1850
In 1850, Senator Henry Clay made a Compromise on the blance of power in the Senate. The Compromise said that California should enter as a free state, while the other new territores have no limits on slavery. Also, slavery in Washington D.C. would be permitted, but slave trade would be banned. President Taylor opposed this plan, but he soon died unexpectedley. The new president Millard Fillmore favored a compromise. -
Compromise of 1850 (continued)
However, in the end, Senator Douglas divided the Compromise into parts to be voted on separatley. Eventually 5 bills passed and became known as the Compromise of 1850. The Compromise of 1850 would later have effects that would eventually cause the Civil War. When the South felt that the North did not follow the Compromise, they claimed that their states rights had been violated. This eventually became a big cause of the Civil War. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act was a part of the Compromise of 1850. This act was an attempt to satisfy slaveholders in the South. This act required all citizens to help catch runaway slaves and return them. The Fugitive Slave Act backfired on the South, however. This act convinced northerners of the evils of slavery, instead of returning slaves, many northerners fought for their freedom. For example, an all white jury in the North would usually let the slave go free. -
Fugitive Slave Act (continued)
The fact that the North did not abide by the Fugitive Slave Act led to anger in the south. This anger eventually helped start the Civil War. -
Kansas- Nebraska Act- "Bleeding Kansas"(continued)
The bill called the Kansas Nebraska Act was passed in 1854, it abandoned the Missouri Compromise. Soon, pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups rushed into Kansas. A pro slavery legislature was elcted. Pro-slavery laws were put in place, but those against slavery refused to abide by these laws. Both sides began arming themselves, and soon enough, violence broke out. By many it was seen as 'civil war.' This was a small glimpse of to what would soon become the Civil War -
The Kansas- Nebraska Act- "Bleeding Kansas"
Due to their location, Kansas and Nebraska would most likely be admitted as free states. According to the Missouri Compromise, they would be free since they are located north of the 36 degree 30'N latitude. Southerners opposed this because, two more free states would give free states more votes in the Snate. Senator Douglas proposed that the Missouri Compromise be abandoned, however, Northerners protested. -
Dred Scott Case (continued)
Eventually the judge ruled that since Scott was not a citizen, he had no right to bring the case to the court. -
Dred Scott Case
Dred Scott was bought by a doctor in Missouri, a slave state. During the 1830s, the doctor moved to Illinois, a free state. The doctor then moved his family to the Wisconsin Territory where slavery was banned. The doctors family then returned to Missouri where the doctor died. Antislavery lawyers helped Dred Scott in suing for his freedom. Eleven years later this case would reach the Supreme Court. -
John Brown Raid on Harper's Ferry
John Brown, an abolitionists, led a group on a raid on Harper's Ferry located in Virginia. The mission of the raid was to arm slaves in order to let them revolt against their slaveholders. Brown was defeated by local troops and eventually sentenced to death for his actions. This event had many effects. For one, it put both the North and the South on the edge. It also helped in ralling against slavery. -
Lincoln's Election
In 1860, the Democratic party was split over slavery. Some wanted slavery, and others were against it. This caused for the Democratic party to have little hope in winning the election. Howver, the Republicans nominated Abraham Lincoln as their candidate. The Republican party was not for or against slavery, they just wanted the Union to be preserved. When Lincoln was elected, South Carolina seceded, and many southern states would soon follow. The was the start of the division of the Union. -
Battle at Fort Sumter
Soon after Lincoln's election,Fort Sumter sent a message to the president saying that they were low on supplies and the Confederates were demanding that they surrender.Lincoln ordered that an unarmed expedition carrying supplies be sent. Lincoln said not to fire unless fired upon.Jefferson Davis, the leader of these Confederate troops, ordered his forces to attack. Soon the battle had begun, however, in the end, no one died on either side.The battle at Fort Sumter was the start of the Civil War.
