-
Start of Mexican-American war
Began with a dispute over the annexation of Texas by the US, and disputes over borders. Eventually, the US won this war and gained a vast amount of territory. When the US gained territory, there were debates over whether or not slavery should be in these territories. This war also increased sectionalism and tensions between the North and the South. Many famous Civil War generals also fought in this war. Important to include because of how it led to the Civil War (McPherson, 60-61). -
Battle of Buena Vista
Important to include because it was the last major battle in northern mexico and marked a very important victory for the United States during the Mexican American War. Allowed the US army to continue with monumentum and not give up. Increased General Zachary Taylors popularity and contributed to his presidential election with the victory and gave the US hope. Mexicos army had more soldiers but they were poorly trained and not armed well, giving the US an advantage. -
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago
Brought the end of the Mexican-American War and stated that Mexico must give up about 55% of the territory it owned pre-war to the United States. This is important to include because it ended the Mexican-American war officially. This treaty fueled debates over slavery because there was new American territories that had to be determined as either slave or free states. From this treaty, Mexico also earned 15 million dollars from the US for the new territories. This treaty caused more debates. -
California Gold Rush
A time of economic growth and migration. This discovery led to the largest migration for the US. Had long lasting effects on the economy because of the changes during this time. Somewhat influenced the Civil War because it favored the North and increased tensions over slavery. Led to construction, new infrastructure, violence, an increase in population and a large change in the economy. Had major effects and somewhat influenced the Civil War which is why it is important to include. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was a series of 5 laws that addressed the issue of slavery that the Mexican-American war brought to new territories. Due to the new sectional tensions created after the war, these new territories had to be decided as free or slave states. California became a free state, Utah and New Mexico had the option to decide, Washington DC abolished the slave trade, and a new boundary was established between Texas and New Mexico. This compromise in part led to the Civil War. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was a law that stated that even if slaves were in a free state, they must be returned to their owners if found escaped. This law was a part of the Compromise of 1850 and this act gave the federal government responsibility for finding and returning escaped slaves. This act sparked a change because it caused abolitionists to want to fight even more. Important to include because anti-slavery advocates did not want to be forced to partake in returning slaves. -
The Crisis of 1850
Stemmed from sectional debates over whether or not slavery should be allowed in the new territories. Free soilers had a nominating convention, while Supporters of slavery also had their nominating convention. This new party "the Free Soil Party" brought up more debates and tensions. This is important to include because it made the debates between the North and South even more serious and led to a new party being created. (Varon, 201-202). The free soilers opposed the compromise of 1850. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
By Harriet Beecher Stowe, influenced the Civil War because it portrayed the brutalities of slavery and intensified divisions between the North and South, raising tensions. Stowe's bravery in writing publishing this story encouraged others to speak out sparked a lot of controversy. Writing this, Stowe got people to empathize with slaves and understand that they were human too. Showing the brutalities opened people's eyes and led partially to the abolishment of slavery(McPherson, 38-39). -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This law repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and divided the land west of Missouri, establishing Kansas and Nebraska. This act reopened the struggle over slavery in the West, which had been resolved earlier. This caused widespread tensions in Kansas and also increased conflicts between the North, leading to growing tensions and a higher likelihood of the Civil War. Started the concept of popular sovereignty when the decision of slavery was left up to the settlers. -
Pottawatomie Massacre
An attack by abolitionists on pro-slavery. John Brown and other anti-slavery advocates attacked and murdered five men. The name stemmed from this attack that occurred along the banks of Pottawatomie Creek. This period stemmed from debates over slavery and this event caused tensions that led up to Bleeding Kansas and caused more debate between anti-slavery northerners and pro-slavery southerners. This is important to include because of how it escalated tensions and because it was so violent. -
Dred Scott Decision
An influential decision that upheld slavery in United States territories and ruled that since slaves were property, it was unconstitutional to take them away. The Supreme Court stated that enslaved people were not citizens of the United States, so they could not expect any protection from the courts. Came with consequences such as alarming the anti-slavery movement, causing the conflict between the North and South to become more intense, and leading to the South's secession from the Union. -
John Brown Raid
He was an extreme abolitionist who wanted to rise a slave revolt because he said that "god wanted him to". 16 people were killed in this raid and the organizers were taken to jail. Raised sectional tensions between the North and the South and sparked national debate pertaining to the issue of slavery. John Brown wanted a war against slavery to happen so that slavery would be abolished completely. This was a spark to the Civil War because it raised tensions between the North and South.