-
1770s- Declarations of “All men are created equal”
The declarations of "All men are created equal." by American Revolutionaries caused much stir in the United States. Many people argued over phrases such as this, mainly because Thomas Jefferson included this in the Constitution. Many people debated if he intended for slavery to be banned because of this phrase. -
1787- Ban of slavery North and West of the Ohio River
The ban of slavery North/West of the Ohio River caused a lot of questions about slavery. Many people fought over what land was supposed to be free or had slavery permitted. The constitution bans slavery North and West of the Ohio River so many people thought that slavery was meant to end. -
1789- “Declaration of Rights and Man and Citizen”
This declaration was a sign of major growth and development in the revolutionaries. -
1791- Admission of Vermont as a state
In 1791, Vermont was administered into the Union as a free state. This fueled tensions between proslavery and antislavery due to there being another free state. -
1792- Admission of Kentucky as a state
In 1792, Kentucky became a slave state in the Union. Just as Vermont had caused a disruption, Kentucky also did due to it being a slave state. -
1793- Invention of the Cotton Gin
The invention of the cotton gin would much debate and divided states for many years. While the cotton gin had prompted more industry in the North, it rapidly sped up the number of plantations in the South. -
1803- The Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was one of the biggest expansions for the United States. But, of course, the Louisiana Purchase would cause conflict within the United States as well. As everything else did, the Louisana fueled the tension between the South and North. -
1803- Ohio’s “Black Laws,”
Among other things, these laws would prevent African Americans to vote, have access to schools, and completely prevent them from serving on juries. These laws would put in place to ensure white supremacy. -
1822- Rebellion led by Denmark Vesey
The rebellion led by Denmark Vesey caused much mayhem in the government and throughout America. His rebellion led to great separations in many different places and brought more attention to the political differences. In conclusion, there are many ways that Denmark Vesey’s rebellion affected America. -
1836- Admission Of Arkansas As A State
In 1836, Arkansas became a slave state in the union, fueling the tension between the North and South. -
1837- Admission Of Michigan As A State
In 1837, Michigan was administered into the union as a free state. Michigan being a free state meant that there were more places for runaway slaves to go on their way to freedom. -
1839- Antislavery Liberty Party
The Whig party had pushed abolitionists to form their own party. Abolitionists were pushed to create form the antislavery Liberty Party because the Whig party did not care for antislavery causes. The antislavery Liberty Party supported causes such as ending slave trades and ending slavery in general. But, the Democrat and Whig party still ruled over politics. -
1842- Supreme Court Case
In 1842, the supreme court had ruled that a federal government fugitive slave act was more important than Pennsylvania’s own personal liberty law. This in particular made the antislavery activists even more certain that the government did not do work for the good of the people, but for the good of slaveholders in the South. -
1845- Admission Of Florida As A State
The admission of Florida was much worrisome for both parties. This is because both were wondering if Florida would become proslavery or antislavery. -
1846- Declared War
On May 11th, 1846, President Polk declared war with Mexico. The reason for the war was because Mexico had never completely recognized Texas as apart of the United States. Mexico had continuously tried to claim Texas as their own, which led to Polk declaring war. -
1848- Antislavery leaders enter the election
The act of Anti-slavery leaders entering the 1848 election was the start of a new wave of action. While the free-soil leaders, (free-soil was a party made by the antislavery leaders) did not make a big impact on the actual election, they won many popular votes. They also gained important and useful powers in the house and senate. Also, the anti-slavery leaders being in the election brought more awareness to the public about slavery. -
1848- Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo
The treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo is an important part of American history because it had expanded the United States territory greatly. The treaty gave the United States Utah, Nevada, parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Colorado. But, sadly, gaining this territory would help expand slavery. -
1848- Admission of Wisconsin as a state.
In 1848, Wisconsin was administered to the union as a free state. And rather than causing more tension, for choosing to be a free state, Wisconsin’s admission actually caused the tension to disperse slightly. -
1850- Compromise
The compromise of 1850, while trying to ease tensions, made it worse. For example, the South was unhappy with how the government allowed the arrests of regular citizens if they tried to catch/arrest runaway slaves. The compromise also made the Northern antislavery people convinced that the Southerners had sway in the government, and they were plotting to make slavery national. All in all, in regards to the tensions between the North and South, the compromise made it worse. -
1850- Zachary Taylor Death
The death of Zachary Taylor is a major moment in history because once he died, Whig Millard Fillmore took over the presidency. President Whig is most well known for trying to keep tensions low between the North and South by creating a compromise. Of course, by the end of his presidency, Whig was unpopular with the public, only getting 42 out of the 254 electoral votes. -
1852- Publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe published Uncle Tom’s Cabin in 1852 and its effects were major. Her book had spread word throughout the North about slavery, which made the abolitionist cause progress more. The book had made it so that Northerners had more to talk about regarding slavery. -
1854- Anthony Burns
In 1854, Anthony Burns, a preacher, and a free slave was injured and taken to jail. Many people tried to release Burns from his wrongful arrest and imprisonment, even killing someone, but they were unsuccessful. Burns was eventually taken to Virginia and became a slave once more. This had caused Boston to become very agitated with the government and with proslavery, and even caused people to support antislavery. -
1854- Introduction of a Bill
In 1854, Douglas wanted to introduce a bill that would take territory from Nebraska to make it Kansas territory, and in turn, use the land to complete a national railroad that could run through Chicago. But, he was opposed by many as people began to believe that he wanted to expand slavery into western lands. And because of this, it was decided that Kansas would vote to become a slave state or a free state. -
1856- Kansas
In 1856, Kansas wanted to be admitted into the union, as a free state. Yet, the government did not recognize them as a free state and admitted them as a pro-slavery state. This caused a national sectional crisis, even more debate on slavery, and Kansas to be called “Bleeding Kansas”. -
1856- Presidential election
The 1856 election was very important because of who would be elected and what choices they would make. Buchanan, the new president would decide to make a court case that African Americans can not be United States citizens. This meant that the United States was going to extend slavery across the country. Of course, this caused major disruptions across the country. -
1859- John Brown's Execution
John Brown’s execution had many impacts on the United States. For example, Northerners showed sympathy towards his death, which foreshadowed the election of Abraham Lincoln. But, the United States also lost a leading antislavery leader and abolitionist. -
1859- John Brown's Raid
John Brown organized his raid in 1859 and carried it out on October 16th. John Brown and everyone involved in the raid were fighting for the freedom of all the slaves. But, on October 18th, his raid was squashed.