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William Lloyd Garrison writes on the schism of abolitionism
William Lloyd Garrison begins to write about the apparent splitting of opinions within abolition sentiments and its disunion. Garrison begins to recommend abolitionists withhold from voting and apply abolitionist rhetoric to a broader denunciation of American politics. Attempting to distance themselves from Lloyds radicalism, the abolitionist movements split into the creating American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Party and the Liberty Party (Varon 144). -
Period: to
Antebellum America
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Samuel Colt expands the manufacturing capabilities of America
Samuel Colt, during this time, created several factories around the United States and established the United States as the manufacturing epicenter of the world. As a result of this newfound specialization, the manufacturing advancements expanded exponentially in creating firearms, serving as an eery prediction to one of the bloodiest conflicts in American history. These factories, typically created in more northern territories, showcases the disparity between the north and south. (McPheron 16) -
Passing of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850
This law allowed the formation of a new federal force to retrieve fugitive slaves who had escaped into Northern Territory, specifically the U.S. Marshall service. As a result, the federal government was forced to assist slave owners in this retrieval and created its own jurisdiction system. The significance of this act was its subsequent increase in tension between Northern and Southern states as Northern states had little room to resist against these southern forces (Varon 236) -
Daniel Webster's Speech to Congress
A speech given by Daniel Webster, a Massachusetts senator, to the Senate was a direct blow to abolitionist rhetoric that was becoming popular. Specifically, Webster spoke in his speech about how secession and disunion would only harm the union and that slavery should not be discussed as much as well as how the north is not fulfilling returning fugitive slaves. This speech exemplifies the increased tension between the north and south and that secession has no become a possibility. (Varon 217) -
Publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom’s Cabin, created by Harriet Beecher Stowe was a series of writings written in newspapers. These stories created a narrative of slaves escaping the horrors of slavery. These series of stories serve as an outlet for abolitionists to relate to the sentiments of abolition and further mobilize educated women to the cause. The Southern Response to this publication was mostly negative and further created tension between the north and south (Varon 245) -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
Perhaps one of the most controversial acts created in the history of the United States, this act was established to create two new territories within the United States. What made this act controversial was its utilization of popular sovereignty as this act allowed the status of new territories to be free or slave states to be determined by the populace. As a result, a mass migration ensued to these territories as well as a significant uptick in violence (Varon 260). -
John C Fremont's Campaign of 1856
John C Fremont was a presidential candidate for the Republican party and as a result, was set to campaign against the Democrat candidate of James Buchanan. Being a republican candidate, Fremont was noted to campaign heavily against slavery and the south’s reliance on it. What marks Fremont’s campaign as noteworthy was the reaction from Democrats. Specifically, Democrats discussed that his election would result in disunion, which creates an ominous prediction of the election of 1860 (Varon 275). -
The Dred Scott Decision
Seen as a massive blow to the abolitionist movement, the Dred Scott Decision was a supreme court case was over the status of African Americans. Dred Scott was a slave who had traveled within a free state and subsequently attempted to sue for his freedom. Chief Justice Taney then ruled that he and other slaves do not have the standing to sue for freedom as he was not a citizen of the United States. This case further expanded the divide between the south and the abolitionist movement (Varon 299). -
The Lincoln-Douglass Debates
This series of debates were conducted between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglass. These debates were conducted with the topic of the extension of slavery as the primary talking point. This series of talks, featured Lincoln's more moderate position and advocated for the discussion of slavery within a single union and to avoid disunion. This series of debates would bring about further interest in Lincoln’s political career and bring forth his pivotal influence in the Civil War (Varon 316). -
The Election of Abraham Lincoln
The election of 1860 was a period of great political tension. This election featured Abraham Lincoln, the Republican Candidate facing Stephen Douglass, John C. Breckenridge, and John Bell. The final result was Abraham Lincoln winning with 180 electoral votes. This victory for Lincoln would be short-lived as South Carolina would be the first nation to secede from the union and cause the onset of the American Civil War (McPherson 235).