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History Time Line
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Wilmont Proviso
Was a bold attempt by opponents of slavery to prevent its introduction in the territories purchased from Mexico following the Mexican War. Named after its sponsor, Democratic representative David Wilmont of Pennsylvania, the proviso never passed both houses of Congress, but it did ignite an intense national debate over slavery that led to the creation of the antislavery Republican party in 1854. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise prohibited slavery in the unorganized territory of the Great Plains. Also permitted slavery in Missouri and the Arkansas Territory. -
California
California was admitted to become a state on September 9, 1850. There was much debate but in the end California became a free state. -
Fugitive Slave Act
In this compromise, the antislavery advocates gained the admission of California as a free state, and the prohibition of slave-trading in the District of Columbia. The slavery party received concessions with regard to slave holding in Texas and the passage of this law. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin is an anti-slavery novel by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Was the best-selling novel of the 19th century. -
Bleeding Kansas
Was a murder event that happened during the summer of 1854. Over 200 people were killed. -
Kansas - Nebraska Act
Created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, opened new lands, repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed settlers in those territories to determine if they would allow slavery within their boundaries. -
Attack on Lawrence
The attack on August 21, 1863, targeted Lawrence due to the town's long support of abolition and its reputation as a center for Redlegs and Jayhawkers, which were free-state militia and vigilante groups known for attacking and destroying farms and plantations in Missouri's pro-slavery western counties. -
Pottawatomie Creek
John Brown and a band of abolitionist settlers killed five settlers north of Pottawatomie Creek in Franklin County, Kansas. This was one of the many bloody episodes in Kansas preceding the American Civil War. -
Sumner Brooks Incident
Ardent abolitionist Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts delivered a two-day speech entitled The Crime Against Kansas. Several days later, Butler's nephew, Congressman Preston Brooks, attacked Sumner with a cane while he was seated at his desk in the Senate chamber. -
Dred Scott vs. Sanford
Was a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that people of African descent imported into the U.S. and held as slaves were not protected by the Constitution and could never be U.S. citizens. The court also held that the U.S. Congress had no authority to prohibit slavery in federal territories and that, because slaves were not citizens, they could not sue in court.
