The Road to Secession and Civil War, 1846-1861 By brittanyfoster Dec 29, 1845 Annexation of Texas Period: Dec 29, 1845 to Apr 12, 1861 The Road to Secession and Civil War Apr 25, 1846 Mexican-American War begins Jan 24, 1848 Gold Rush begins Feb 2, 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Feb 2, 1848 Mexican-American war ends Nov 15, 1848 President Taylor wins election Jun 15, 1849 President Polk dies May 20, 1850 Great Compromise of 1850 California as a free state* Rejected by Calhoun* Jul 9, 1850 President Taylor dies Jul 9, 1850 President Fillmore takes presidency Sep 18, 1850 1850 Fugitive Slave Act opposed by Seward* Nov 15, 1852 President Pierce wins election Nov 15, 1856 President Buchanan wins election Nov 6, 1860 Lincoln begins presidency Nov 15, 1860 President Lincoln wins election Apr 12, 1861 Civil War begins