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Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin is a novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe in 1852. It tells the story of slaves and the hardships they faced under the institution of slavery. The book exposed the harsh realities of slavery, challenging the prevailing pro-slavery argument of the time. It sparked intense debates and discussions about slavery weighing in on its content. -
Republican Party
The Republican Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States. It was founded in 1854 and has since become known for its conservative principles and emphasis on limited government, individual freedom, and free-market economics. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
This Act was passed in 1854. It allowed the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether they would allow slavery or not by popular sovereignty, which was a departure from the previous practice of using the Missouri Compromise to determine the status of new territories. This act led to intense conflict and violence in Kansas, as pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers clashed over the future of the territory and further intensified the divide between the North and South. -
Election of 1856
The Election of 1856 was a highly contentious election that took place during a time of great division over the issue of slavery. The Republican Party nominated John C. Frémont as their candidate, while the Democrats nominated James Buchanan. The election highlighted the growing tension between the North and South, as both candidates had different stances on slavery. Buchanan, who won the election, sought to appease the South and maintain the status of slavery, while Frémont aimed to limit it. -
Bloody Kansas
Bloody Kansas refers to the violent conflicts that took place in the Kansas Territory between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers. These conflicts were a result of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed for popular sovereignty in determining the status of slavery in the territory, it ignited tensions and led to clashes between the two factions. These conflicts involved armed confrontations, raids, and even massacres. -
Brooks-Sumner Incident
The Brooks-Sumner Incident took place in 1856. It involved a physical altercation between two members of Congress, Representative Preston Brooks and Senator Charles Summer. The incident occurred when Sumner delivered a speech criticizing the institution of slavery and specifically attacking Brooks' relative, Senator Andrew Butler. In response, Brooks viciously beat Sumner with a cane on the Senate floor. truly showing the breakdown of civility and the growing tensions between the North and South -
LeCompton constitution
The LeCompton Constitution was a proposed constitution for Kansas that allowed slavery. It was highly controversial and sparked intense political debates. Many anti-slavery advocates opposed it because they believed it was undemocratic and unfair. The Constitution was put to a popular vote, but it faced criticism for its provisions that protected slavery. But eventually, the Lecompton Constitution was rejected. -
Dred Scott
The Dred Scott case was a super important event in American history. It was a Supreme Court case in 1857 that involved a slave Dred Scott who sued for his freedom. The court ruled that because Scott was considered property, he did not have the right to sue and that slaves were not citizens, but rather property. This decision further divided the North and the South over the issue of slavery. -
House Divided Speech
The House Divided Speech was delivered by Abraham Lincoln in 1858. In the speech, Lincoln addressed the growing tensions over slavery and the division between the North and the South. He emphasized that "A house divided against itself cannot stand" and that the United States could not continue to exist as a half-slave and half-free nation. -
Lincoln Douglas Debates
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates were a series of seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. The debates focused on slavery and its expansion into new territories. Lincoln, representing the Republican Party, challenged Douglas, on his stance of popular sovereignty. The debates attracted large crowds and received extensive media coverage. While Lincoln ultimately lost the Senate race to Douglas, the debates raised Lincoln's profile and showcased his moral opposition to slavery. -
John Brown
John Brown was a notable abolitionist who played a significant role in the fight against slavery. He is best known for leading the raid on Harper's Ferry in 1859. Brown believed in using armed resistance to overthrow the institution of slavery. Although his raid was unsuccessful and he was captured and executed, Brown's actions had a profound impact on the national conversation about slavery. -
Harper's Ferry
Harper's Ferry was an event that took place in 1859. It was led by abolitionist John Brown, who aimed to start a slave rebellion. Brown and his followers seized the federal armory and arsenal in Harper's Ferry, Virginia. However, their plan failed, and Brown was captured and later executed. -
Election of 1860
The Election of 1860 was an election that saw the rise of the Republican Party, led by Abraham Lincoln. The Republicans were against the expansion of slavery, which was a major issue at the time. The election highlighted the deep divisions between the North and the South over slavery. Lincoln's victory in the election, even though he didn't win any Southern states, caused a big backlash from the South. This eventually led to the Southern states seceding from the Union. -
Secession
Secession refers to the act of a region or state formally withdrawing from a larger political entity, such as a country or union. It often occurs due to significant disagreements or conflicts between the region and the central government. The secession of states is primarily driven by disagreements over issues such as states' rights, slavery, and economic differences. -
Lincoln's 1st Inaugural Address
Lincoln's 1st Inaugural Address was delivered on March 4, 1861, right before the start of the Civil War. In his address, Lincoln emphasized his commitment to preserving the Union and urged the Southern states not to secede. He expressed his desire to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict and reassured the South that he had no intention of interfering with their existing institutions, including slavery. Lincoln tried to not further division and violence but couldn't.