Events Leading up to the Civil War

By tucoxa

  • Virginia Resolution

    Virginia Resolution
    Written by James Madison and passed into law by Virginia state legislature, the Virginia Resolution argued in favor of states rights and against the powers of the Federal government. Southern view: Northern view:

  • Missouri Compromise

    Missouri Compromise
    A compromise passed to satisfy both pro and anti slavery states that allowed Maine to enter the Unior as a free state and prohibited slavery in territory north of the 36'30 parallel except in the new state of Missouri which would be a slave state. Northern view: Southern view:

  • Nat Turner Rebellion

    Nat Turner Rebellion
    Slave rebellion in Virginia led by Nat Turner that resulted in the deaths of 55 white southerners including women and children.

  • Fugitive Slave Act

    Fugitive Slave Act
    Passed as part of the Compromise of 1850, it forced Northerns to assist in the capturing of fugitive slaves.

  • Dred Scott Decision

    Dred Scott Decision
    Decision by the U.S Supreme Court ruling that people of African descent were not protected by the Constitution and that Congress did not have the power to prohibit slavery in the territories. Northern view: Southern view:

  • John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry

    John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry
    Radical abolitionist John Brown and his followers attacked and briefly seized a U.S Arsenal at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia in an attempt to spur a rebellion by slaves.