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Kansas-Nebraska Act
Kansas-Nebraska Act is passed. Allows territories to use popular sovereignty when deciding whether or not to allow slavery. -
"Bleeding Kansas"
Violent clashes between Anti-Slavery(Freesoilers) and Pro-Slavery Settlers. -
"Bleeding Sumner"
Charles Sumner (MA) is caned by Preston Brooks. Sumner was staunchly anti-slavery. -
Election of 1856
President Buchanan is elected -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott, a slave, sued his master for his freedom, based on the idea that he had been brought into free territory. Supreme Court ruled against Scott on the basis that slaves are NOT CITIZENS BUT PROPERTY. -
Tensions Mount - Lincoln - Douglas Debates
Series of 7 Debates between Lincoln & Douglas as they run for Senate. Argued about slavery & popular sovereignty. -
John Brown & Harper's Ferry
John Brown leads an armed slave revolt on Harper's Ferry, VA. -
1860 Presidential Election
Evidence of a divided nation. 4 Candidates in the race, not a single southern vote for Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln won with 39% of the Popular vote because the nation was so divided. -
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina becomes the first southern state to leave the Union following the election of Abraham Lincoln. -
Confederate States of America Formed
From December 1860 - February 1861, 7 states seceded. On Feb 8, 1861 they met and formed the Confederate States of America. They elected Jefferson Davis their president & set their capital at Richmond, VA. -
Firing on Fort Sumter - Civil War Begins
Violence breaks out at Fort Sumter in the Charleston Harbor. This is the official start of the Civil War. -
Upper South Secedes
The last 4 states of the Upper South Secede (VA, AK, TN, & NC). CSA capital officially at Richmond. The country is now divided geographically into 21 Union & Border* States and 11 Confederate States.
CSA was made of:
SC, GA, AL, MS, FL, TX, LA, VA, AK, TN, & NC.- During the war West Virginia will become a state in the Union.
