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Invention of cotton gin
Created by Eli Whitney, the cotton gin revolutionized the economy of the United States-- although with "King Cotton" came the need for vastly more slaves in the South. -
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Events
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Louisiana Purchase
The United States bought this vast territory from France, doubling the country in size. The problem was how to govern this land, as there was a large population of enslaved Africans. Some slaveholders feared that acquisition of the new territory might inspire American slaves to revolt. Southern slave-owners wanted the US to establish slavery laws in Louisiana,so eventually the territory was split up. -
Wilmot Proviso
This was a major event that lead to Civil War. If passed, it would have banned slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico, as well as the disputed areas of south Texas and New Mexico. The nature of the Constitution and slavery (among other things) came up in this debate. -
Compromise of 1850
This bill reduced north/south sectional conflict for four years. Drafted by Henry Clay, its most important components were: Texas surrendered claims to New Mexico, California was admitted as a free state, the south avioded popular soverignty (except Utah and New Mexico), and a stronger Fugitive Slave Act was put into effect. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin published
This was an anti-slavery novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe, and had tremendous social impact. In its time, it was the second best-selling book, behind the Bible. Stowe's book helped fuel the fire of abolitionist cause by bringing to light the true nature of slavery. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This created the territories of Kansas And Nebraska, ending the Missouri Compromise of 1820 by allowing settlers in those territories to determine, through popular soverignty, whether or not to allow slavery. -
Dred Scott decision
A landmark decision by the Supreme Court (frequently regarded as the worst ever made), it held that federal government had no power to regulate slavery, and that people of African descent (both slave and free) were not protected by the Constitution and were not U.S. citizens. -
Southern secession
As a result of Lincoln's presidency, eleven southern states declared themselves seceded from the United States, becoming the Confederate States of America. -
Lincoln's Inauguration
Abraham Lincoln was chosen as the Republican candidate, much to the fury of Southern states, seven of which shortyl thereafter seceeded from the Union on the eve of the Civil War. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
This was one of the main events that directly led to Civil War. On April 10, 1861, Brig. Gen. Beauregard, in command of the provisional Confederate forces at Charleston, South Carolina, demanded the surrender of the Union garrison of Fort Sumter. Garrison commander Anderson refused. On April 12, Confederate batteries opened fire on the fort, which was unable to reply effectively. On April 13, Major Anderson surrendered Fort Sumter, evacuating the garrison. -
The Battle of Bull Run
Actually two battles, these were the first of the Civil War. Here, Thomas J. Jackson earned his nickname "Stonewall Jackson" and the Confederates earned victories. -
Battle of Antietam
Also called the Battle of Sharpsburg, it was the first major battle in the Civil War to take place on Union soil; it was also the bloodiest battle in American history. Confederate General Robert E. Lee's invasion of Maryland was thus ended, giving Lincoln enough confidence in the Union to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Issued by president Lincoln, the Proclamation decalred all those enslaved in Confederate territory to be forever free. While it could not be enforced in areas still under rebellion, the Union army began taking over and slaves in those regions were emancipated rather than taken back to their masters. -
The Gettysburg Address
Considered one of the best speeches in American history, it was delivered by president Abraham Lincoln after the Union armies defeated those of the Confederacy at the Battle of Gettysburg. -
End of the War
At Appomattox, Virginia, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union General, ending the Civil War.
