-
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin was an anti-slavery book written by Harriet Beacher Stowe. This book would be very popular as well as controversial. This book raises tensions between the North and South by Harriet's interpretation of slavery and how it affects the country. This would deeply upset the south. -
The Kansas and Nebraska Act
This was an act written into congress in 1854 by Stephen A Douglas. This act proposed that instead of having congress decide whether the territory west of Iowa would be a free state or slave state(s), that popular sovereignty would decide. This repeals the Missouri Compromise and this would lead to Bloody Kansas acts, where the people would use violence as a way to convince people to vote for free or slave. This act would also destroy the Whig Party and a new party would emerge. -
Republican Party
The Republican party was a new political party that rises after the Kansas and Nebraska act, they sought to stop the spread of slavery in new western territories. This new political party is anti-slavery and they did not support the Kansas and Nebraska Acts. This group consisted of Northern Whigs and anti-slavery Democrats. Well-known members of the group are Abrhaman Lincon and John C Fermnont. -
Bloody Kansas 1855-1859
Bloody Kansas was a series of violent events that emerged because of the Kansas and Nebraska act. With people now having the right to decide whether their state will be a free state or a slave state, many were acting radical to make or convince others to vote for what they wanted. These people would burn down houses and sack the town of Laurence. John Brown an abolitionist would commit gruesome acts such as slicing people's skulls open and these acts would go on for 6 years. -
John Brown
As mentioned before John Brown was a radical abolitionist that would be a known leader in the Bloody Kanasa act and commit gruesome acts of violence. He was known for gathering slaves and convincing them to rebel against their owners, as he claimed he was doing the work of "god" and is just an instrument to the people. His strong opinions on slavery would further raise tensions between the North & The South. Unlike other abolitionists, he used violence as a way to convey his opinions. -
Brooks & Sumner Inccident
This was an incident between two political figures, Preston Brooks (a southern politician from SC) and Charles Sumner(senator from Maccaschuets). Charles made a speech where he talked negatively about many southern senators, and one was Brook's kin. As a result, Brooks would later arrive at the capitol in the Senate Chambers and beat Sumner in the head with his cane. As a result, the South supported Brooks for beating an anti-slavery politician and Sumner never recovered.This Raised Tensions. -
Election of 1856.
The final 3 of the Presidential Election of 1856 were, Republican John C Fermont, Democrat, James Buchanan, Know-Nothing, and Millard Fillmore. Democrat James Buchanan would win the election. This election is significant because it was such a bitter election and this would be the first time republicans would run. Also significant because the question of slavery was so prominent. -
Dred Scott Court Case
The Dred Scott Supreme Court case was a ruling that would tighten the tension on slavery. Dred Scott sued the lower courts and wanted to be free as he was in a free state. The court ruled that he is not free even if he is in a free state because he is not a citizen or considered a person, so he has no rights and can not legally sue. Not only did the court address Scott but they claimed that states did not have the legal authority to handle questions of slavery. This would deeply upset the North -
LeCompton Constitution 1857-1859
This was a document in Kansas that would try to protect slaveholding and a bill of rights that would purposefully exclude African Americans. This would cause a lot of Friction between the states and eventually lead to the succession. Even though it was rejected they tried to get this pushed through a lot, but as a result, Kansas would be added to the Union as a free state. -
Lincoln Douglass Debates August - October 1858
A series of debates by Lincon and Douglas in the run for the Senate. These debates discussed topics like the Kansas and Nebraska Act, BloodyKansas, DredScott, and the issues of slavery. Douglas would make Lincon look like an extremist and Lincon would rebuttal in logical ways. One time so logical that he would set Douglas up in a trap. This was known as the Freeport Doctrine.Douglas's response would upset all his southern supporters and the people in the north. As a result, lost all support -
The House Divide Speech
This was a speech written by Abraham Lincoln at the Republican Convention center. In this speech, he addresses the nation's dividedness and how someone can not be on both sides. He states we must pick a side, Lincon says he is on freedom's side. He also says that he does not hope for civil war if the nation does not do anything for freedom it will be divided. This speech is significant because he warns the nation about the future and it would raise his popularity as a future presidential runner -
Harper's Ferry
This plan was thought out by John Brown. His plan was to break into the federal arsenal in Virginia (Harpers Ferry) and give those armed weapons to the slaves in the surrounding areas. He planned to continue until he got all the way to Tennessee and Alabama. He sent 21 men and himself to follow the plan. However, church bells would ring and the town would rebel against his plan before he could even gather any slaves. He and 7 others would be taken, prisoner. As a result the town was very angry. -
John Brown Executed
On December 2nd of 1859. Only a few days after the Harper Ferry invasion John Brown would be executed for treason with the intent to murder and commit conspiracy. He would be put to death by a gallow. As a result of his death, abolitionists like William Garrison were starting to think violence may be the only way to rebel against slavery. This would truly upset the northerners. -
The Election of 1860
The deep south would choose John C. Breckinridge as their presidential nominee. The regular south chose Stephen Douglas. The republicans chose Abraham Lincon. The Know-Nothings chose John Bell. This election was so significant because it truly showed just how divided the country was. Even the south had two different presidential nominees. The winner of the election was president Abraham Lincon and this would cause the succession of the southern states just a short time after. -
The States Start to Succeed
After Lincon was elected President this was like the last straw for the southerners. South Carolina would be the first to leave the Union as almost all southern states were afraid that a republican president would take away their rights to slavery. After South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas would leave the Union as well. They would create the Confederate States of America. This was the very beginning to the civil war. -
Lincoln's 1" inaugural Address
This was the day Lincon was officially president. In this speech, he extends an arm out to the south to convince them to return. He promises not to interfere with slavery where it is allowed, however, he also states that he does plan to follow federal laws as he governs. He tries to mend things but he also is not going to let them have their way...