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Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise attempted to maintain the balance between slave states and free states. It specifically called for admitting Missouri to the US as a slave state and Maine as a free state. The compromise also set a border (36 Degree 30' N Latitude) North of which slavery would be not be allowed in future states. -
The Whigs
The Whigs were a political party that began in 1832 and lasted until 1853. The party stemmed from the hostility to President Andrew Jackson. Two Whig presidents were elected in the life of the party. Eventually they fell away to the Free Soil Party.
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Telegraph
Samuel F.B. Morse invented the telegraph in 1844. It revolutionized the speed of communication. The telegraph proved to be more beneficial to the North than the South, as the wires were strung along the railways, of which the North dominated.
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Know-Nothing Party
The Know-Nothing Party was founded in 1845, but was not extremely active until the 1850's. They strongly supported the idea of nativism, or favor to native-born Americans. They wanted to " Americanize Americans." The party was dissolved in 1860.
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Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850, passed in September of 1850 and introduced by Henry Clay, was another attempt to maintain the balance between slave states and free states. The Compomise would admit California as a free state, give settlers in New Mexico and Utah their own choice on slavery, eliminate the slave trade in Washington,D.C., and create a Fugitive Slave Law.
December 16,2010. Photo Retrieved from: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/ppmsca.09398/ -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin played an important role. Hitting home in the North, the book shined a realistic light on the life of a slave.
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Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act addressed the issue of slavery in admitting Kansas and Nebraska into the union. The act called for the settlers in each state to decide whether or not slavery would be permitted. This is called popular sovereignty.
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The Republican Party
On July 6, 1854 first convention for the Republican Party was held. The group had one purpose: to abolish slavery. Unlike previous parties, their conviction was enough for them to last. The current Republican Party is rooted from this one.
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Election of 1856
In the Election of 1856 the Decomcrats nominated James Buchanan, the Reupblicans chose John C. Fremont, and the Know-Nothings chose Millard Fillmore. James Buchanan won the election. -
Bleeding Kansas
After the acts of Emigrant Aid Societies, matters turned violent in Kansas. Pro-slavery groups started looting homes and businesses in Lawrence, Kansas, where many free-soilers were active. In response, John Brown led men to kill some who favored pro-slavery. As the raids continued, Kansas became known as 'bleeding Kansas'. -
Cannibal's All!
In response to Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, George Fitshugh wrote Cannibal's All! The book rendered northern industrialists as an equal to cannibals, morally inept. -
Dred Scott
Dred Scott was a slave who attemtpted to sue his master. He argued that because he had previously been in territories in which slavery was outlawed, he should now be free. This was regardless of the fact that he was now in Missouri. However, the court ruled that because slaves are not citizens of the United States, they can not use the court system. The court also declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional. -
Lecompton Constitution
In December of 1857, the Lecompton Constitution was written. Kansas wished to become a state under this Consitution. Stephen Douglas opposed the constitution because it had not been voted on by popular sovereignty. President Buchanan allowed it. -
Harper's Ferry
On October 16th, 1859, John Brown led a raid at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. He planned to seize the federal arsenal there. While his plan failed, it was one of the many things that began to stir up the nation. -
North Posseses Over Half of Rail Tracks
By the 1860's over half of the currect railroad tracks were in the North, while the South largely stuck with using water sources. As a result, the North had 110,00 factories, while the South had around 20,000. -
Election of 1860
In the Election of 1860 the divisions in political parties became more apparent. The Democrats split, one group supporting Stephen Douglas and the other supporting John C. Breckinridge, the Constitutional Union Party chose John Bell, and the Republicans started with William Seward, but later switched to Abraham Lincoln, who would win the election.
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The Crittenden Compromise
In December of 1860, as states were seceding from the Union, Senator John J. Crittenden proposed a compromise in a desperate attempt to prevent a Civil War. The compromise would call for slavery being legal in states south of the 36 Degree 30' North latitude. President Lincoln didn't accept the compromise. -
South Carolina Secedes
On December 20th, 1860, South Carolina seceded from the Union. Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas would soon follow. -
Union Passes Federal Income Tax
With a lack of Democrats, Congress passed much legislation. In 1861 a federal income tax was passed, requiring anyone who earned more than $800 per year to pay 3% income. -
The Confederate States of America
In February of 1861, the seven states to secede from the Union formed the Confederate States of America. Jefferson Davis was elected as their president. -
The Civil War Begins
On April 12, 1861, the Confederacy attacked Fort Sumter after Major Robert Anderson refused to surrender it. Twenty-four hours later, Anderson surrendered, and the Civil War found its beginning. -
First Battle of Bull Run
On July 18, 1861, the First Battle of Bull Run took place. It was the first major battle in the Civil War, the first victory to the Confederacy, and began to bring strengths and weaknesses into the light. -
Confederacy Passes Draft
Desperate for more troops, the Confederacy had no choice but to pass a draft in 1862. Initially including those ages 18 and 35, it was later expanded up to 50 ( white males only). -
General Ambrose Burnside
In 1862 President Abraham Lincoln replaced the cautious McClellan with the anything-but-cautious Ambrose Burnside. -
The Homestead Act
In 1862, the same year the Pacific Railway Act was passed, the Homestead act was also passed. This act gave land to people who would settle in unpopulated territories. -
Union Launches Monitor
In response to learning of plans of the Confederacy to build a battle ship called the Merrimack, the Union built their own called the Monitor. It was launched in March of 1862. -
Battle of Shiloh
Confederate forces took Union forces by surprise at the Battle of Shiloh. It is considered one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, and began to define how much harder this war would be that initial thoughts. -
Pacific Railroad Act
The PAcific Railroad Act was passed in 1862. It called for the federal governement paying companies to construct railways from Nebraska to the Pacific Coast. -
Battle of Anietam
After Ulysses S. Grant tried to take Confederate forces into Union territory, the Battle of Anietam took place, forcing them back into Virginia. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January First, 1863. This act freed slaves in states that were in rebellion, and served as an aid to one of the turning points in the war. -
The Battle of Chancellorsville
In the Battle of Chancellorsville, which lasted from May 1st through May 4th, Joseph Hooker would prove to be an unsuccesful replacement of Ambrose Burnside as leader of the Union forces, and would also cause the death of the Confederate General Stonewall Jackson. -
Sergeant William Carney
In July of 1863 William Carney was the first African American to recieve a Congressional Medal of Honor. -
Ulysses S. Grant
President Abraham Lincoln replaced Joseph Hooker with Ulysses S. Grant in 1864. This would prove to be the change that the Union needed. -
Union Forces Capture Atlanta
When Union forces captured Atlanta the change that Lincoln needed to be re-elected and for the war to turn came. With the aid of William Tecumseh Sherman, who would go on to complete his march to the sea, the war was finally beginning to wind to its end.
