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Wilmot Proviso Prohibit
Congressman David Wilmot introduced the Wilmot Proviso an amendment, this proviso prohibited the use of slavery within any territory acquired from the Mexican War. This proviso enabled northerners, Wilmot being one himself, to finally be able to support the war without supporting the expansion of slavery itself. Despite the Senate refusing to accept the proviso, it helped form the Free Soil Party who's commitment was to prohibiting slavery in other territories. (Morrison 664-66). -
Proviso Backlash
David Wilmot's Proviso begins to receive backlash from those who are pro-slavery. Ant-proviso men made it their mission to cast aside Wilmot with other abolitionists, even Mississippi Congressman Robert W. Roberts taking it upon himself to criticize the Proviso. February 4, 1847, Roberts speech consisted of belittling Northerners for their abolition and comparing the Proviso to "Mawkish sensibilities." The importance is it shows the lengths anti-slavery would go to keep slavery. (Varon 186). -
The Compromise
U.S. Senator Henry Clay and Stephen Douglass joined forces with President Millard Fillmore in order to address the ongoing issues within the nation. The result of them working together was a bill, this bill was presented to Congress which addressed five issues, the expansion of slavery in the territories Utah and New Mexico, claimed Texas territory, California becoming a "free state", the abolition of slave trade within Washington and amending the Fugitive Slave Act. (McPherson 70-71). -
Christiana Riot
On September 11, 1851, a group of free black men and women stop slave owner, Edward Gorsuch, and his son who had traveled all the way from Maryland to Christiana, Pennsylvania from capturing four black fugitive slaves. The violent confrontation between both groups led the to the death of Gorsuch. The armed resistance group were charged with treason under the Fugitive Slave Law. It is viewed as an act of liberty and symbolizes the tension of the Fugitive Slave Act. (Robbins). -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe published best-selling novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, on April 1, 1852. It became a largely popular novel, the sales were over the roof. The novel follows the story of Uncle Tom, an enslaved man. Stowe highlights the severe injustice and cruelty of slavery in the United States. It became especially popular with people from the North, it helped with the promotion of anti-slavery as well. The importance is that the book plays a role in the antislavery movement. (Stowe 120-123). -
Bleeding Kansas
Anti-slavery and pro-slavery had an ongoing division between each other when it came to where slavery would be permitted, this resulted in multiple out breaks. The Kansas Nebraska Act led to blood shed, corruption, anger and statehood. The Act opened up the possibility for slavery to exist in Kansas, while Nebraska was deemed to be a free state. Both opposing groups would flood Kansas each determined to populate the territory, this led to a massive blood shed. (McPherson 145-47). -
Dred Scott's Case
Dred Scott and his wife, Harriet, sued for their freedom in St. Louis Circuit Court in 1846. Scott argued that because he was living in free state, he should be free. Even Scott's lawyers believed that they would win the case. The trial went on for over a decade before coming to a decision on March 6, 1857. The decision was made that Scott was not a free man. This is important because it raised the question of whether or not Scott, as a black man, was considered a citizen. (McPherson 170-172). -
Lecompton Institution
On February 6, 1858, members of the U.S. House of Representatives gather into a brawl after a debating the Lecompton Institution. The Lecompton Institution is a pro-slavery document that approved the act of slavery in Kansas, this didn't sit well with those who opposed slavery. The importance is that the Lecompton Institution allowed slavery even though residents opposed it. (Lecompton). -
Brown's Raid
Abolitionist John Brown played a major role in the lead to the Civil War. Brown was a strong supporter in committing violence against the South to end slavery, an on October 17, 1859, Brown brought along 19 other followers armed with weapons, led a raid on the federal armory located at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. The plan was to capture the armory there and pass them along to local slaves. A force of U.S. Marines took down the raid, and Brown was capture, convicted and hanged. (Varon 326-34). -
Lincoln's Election
The election of 1860 is important piece of American history. The notable candidates were Republican nominee Abraham Lincoln, Democrat nominee Stephen Douglas, Union party nominee John Bell, and lastly Southern democrat nominee John Breckinridge. This election centered around the issue of slavery and state rights. On November 6, 1860, Abraham Lincoln is elected as the 19th President of the United States of America. (McPherson 28-30). -
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Leading to the War