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The Nation Breaking Apart Timeline
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Wilmot Proviso
This bill aimed to outlaw slavery in territories taken from Mexico. The bill passed in the House of Representatives, but was defeated in the Senate, thus causing a division in Congress. Although, not a success it led to the formation of the Free Soil Party. -
Compromise of 1850
Because Congress was divided on the decision of making California a state, Henry Clay proposed the Compromise of 1850. It satisfied both the Northerners' and the Southerners' wants. Many believed it would bring peace and save the Unoin, but it didn't. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This act was made to separate the Nebraska Territory into two territories.To gain Southerners' support, the decision to allow slavery or not would be decided by popular sovereignity. This act turned Kansas into a battleground over slavery. -
"Bleeding Kansas"
When the Kansas-Nebraske act was passed, Pro- and Anti- slavery settlers rush to vote for it's legislation. Abolistionist John Brown kills five proslavery people to protest. This causes a Civil War to break out in Kansas. -
Caning of Sumner
Senator Cherles Sumner delivered a speech that attacked the proslavery people. To defend the South and A.P. Butler, Preston Brooks attacked Sumner by hitting him with his cane. "Bleeding Sumner" later became a slogan for the Republican Party. -
Dred Scott v. Stanford
This was when Dred Scott, a slave, sued for his freedom after his master died. It came into the Supreme Court, but was ruled against because Scott was not a citizen. This case resulted in allowing slavery to spread in territories and denied citizenship to any free African Americans. -
Attack on Harpers Ferry
John Brown wanted to inspire slaves to fight for their freedom by capturing the U.S. arsenal at Harpers Ferry. Once he took it over, he began to rally up slaves for the fight. Although no slaves came, this raised tensions almost to the breaking point. -
Election of 1860
When Abraham Lincoln won this election, Southerners became upset. They felt he was a threat to their way of life. They feared slavery would be abolished by using majority rule. After South Carolina secedes, six more states follow and create the Confederate States of America.
