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Invention of the Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney's invention of the Cotton Gin quickly seperated the seeds from cotton. Cotton was King in the South and became immensly profitable. As a result there was an increase of supply and demand of slaves and cotton itself. Slavery increased tremendously. Allowing slavery in new aquired land was a huge debate that split the nation. -
Manifest Destiny 1815-1850
The idea that Americans settlers were destined to expand ran through most people. New territories meant new laws were to be presented. New debates between split political parties would emerge. This would create conflict disputing slavery over the new land. This lead to the Civil War. -
Missouri Compromise of 1820
As Missouri was admitted to the Union, a debate struck between Northern and Southern legislators about letting it be a slave or free state.Henry Clay's compromise was to keep a balance between free and slaves states. This led to the Civil War because later, Southern and Northern legislators wouldnt agree on slavery in newly added states. -
The Liberator
This was an abolitionist newspaper by William Lloyd Garrison. Abilitionists kept up with this newspaper because it would discuss the same ideas they believed in. It supported the idea that slavery should not be tolerated. The newspaper also led to he American Anti Slavery Society in 1833. -
End of Mexican War
At the end of the Mexican War, America hungered for western territory. Congress passed the Compromise of 1850 admitting California as a free state and in Utah and New Mexico, the people were to decide wether slavery was legal in those states. This was popular sovereignty. This led to the civil war because political parties didnt agree to the idea, such as the Free Soil Paty. -
Fugitive Slave Law of 1850
This law mentioned that all slaves thtat escaped must be returned to their masters. Also, a slave was considered property and could not as for a jury trial or testify in court.Northerners were angered. Southerners were outraged because the North would not enforce the law, this also led to the Civil War. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote a book about a runaway slave. This popular book would be considered a best seller . Over 270,000 copies were sold. This influenced many people in an emotional way. Peoples opninions changed as they learned about unhumane abuse that slaves in the South suffered. The cause for abolishing slavery increased. Once again, the nation was split over the issue of slavery. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act was introduced by Senator Stephen Douglas. It repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed slavery north of the 36 30 latitude. Popular sovereignty would determine if slavery would be allowed. Violence in Kansas between pro slavery and anti slavery people triggered the Civil War. -
Dred Scott Decision
Missouri slave, Dred Scott, went to court and argued his freedon because his master took him out of MO into territory where slavery was illegal. The decision almsot gave power to all states to legalize slavery. Abolitionists increased efforts to fight against slavery. On the opposite side slave owners were content with the idea of slaves being their "property". This triggered the Civil War. -
Election of Abraham Lincoln
When Republican Abraham Lincoln became president, South Carolina and 6 other states seceded from the Union. Lincoln agreed that the South was becoming too powerful and slavery shouldnt expand to new territory thats added to the Union. This literally split the nation.
