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Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence stated that all men were equal; however, avoids the issue of slavery. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase opened new territories that could possibly become free or slave states in the future. It created conflict over how the issue would be resolved. -
The Mexican War Ends
When America gains land from winning the US-Mexican War, a new problem is brought up; when these new territories become states, will they be free or slave states? It was like the Louisiana Purchase all over again. -
Fugitive Slave Act
Apart of the Compromise of 1850, the Fugitive Slave Act motivated abolitionists to fight against slavery strongly than ever before. Southerners feared that these abolitionists might actually suceed. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
"Uncle Tom's Cabin" showed Northerners how terrible slavery really was, thus, giving them even more of a purpose to fight against it. Abraham Lincoln even recognized it. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The concept of popular sovereignty allowed the states of Kansas and Nebraska to decide whether or not they would be free or slave states. Northerners and Southerners both wanted them to be on their sides. -
Charles Sumner
During Bleeding Kansas, anti-slavery politician Charles Sumner was brutally beaten in a courtroom by pro-slavery politician Preston Brooks after giving a speech about why the pro-slavery forces were responsible for the chaos in Kansas. The North and South took sides after this. -
Dred Scott Case
Northerners were outraged when Congress deemed that Dred Scott was still considered a slave, even though he was living in a free state. The abolitionists then started to fight even more, causing the South to fight back equally as hard. -
John Brown - Harper's Ferry
John Brown was seen as a martyr after his raid after attempting to get slaves to revolt against their masters. The abolitionists looked at John Brown as their role model in their fight against slavery. -
John Brown - Execution
John Brown's death fueled both the North and South. The North saw him as a hero that died for what he believed in, while the South saw him as an insane murderer; both were fired up to crush the other side. -
Abraham Lincoln is Elected President
Following Lincoln's election, a total of 10 states seceded from the Union. The South realized that it was now a minority, meaning it basically now had no power whatsoever to fight to keep slavery.
