-
Pro/Antislavery Literature
This type of literature created strong feelings tied to nationalism for both sides. Since there is not really a set date for this, I put it at the beginning. -
Underground Railroad
As early as 1810 the underground railroad - a network of safe houses and safe routes - helped slaves to escape into the sanctuaries of the North. This made Southerners unhappy, but as the government was not directly facilitating any of this, their anger wasn't angled as directly at the government. -
Mexican-American War
This war, between Mexico and the United States, began over mass white settlement of Mexican territory comprising modern-day Texas. The number of immigrants grew too large, and the Mexicans attempted to shut it down. America gained territory, which of course needed to be evenly split between free and slave states. -
Compromise of 1850
A compromise created to ensure the survival of the Union. It introduced several fugitive slave laws and allowed Utah and New Mexico to choose their alignment on slavery based on popular sovereignty. Since it seemed to cater to the South, the North began to suspect the government was corrupt. -
Fugitive Slave Law
This law was part of the Compromise of 1850. It allowed Southerners to capture runaways in the North without the North authorities interfering. North citizens also had to assist in captures when called upon. -
Bleeding Kansas
Term referring to the bloody conflicts in Kansas over slavery during this period. -
Republican Party Founded
This new party's creation divided the country even further, especially since it was a highly antislavery party. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The plan to cut off a chunk of Nebraska to create the state of Kansas. People saw this as a measure taken to spread slavery all across the continent through the creation of a new state. -
Sumner-Brooks Incident
Senator Preston Brooks used a walking cane to brutally beat Senator Charles Sumner (an abolitionist Republican from Massachusetts) on the Senate floor. This extremely blatant attack on a Northern abolitionist angered the North. -
Dred Scott v Sandford
Dred Scott was caught after having escaped slavery multiple years ago, and his captors wished to transport him back to the South (from the North). Wound up ruling that Blacks weren’t able to become US citizens, and could be transported as a personal possession from state to state, regardless of state laws. Also stated Blacks could not sue in court. -
Panic of 1857
Financial crisis in 1857. While the North suffered, the South stayed firm with their cotton. Created distrust between the North and South. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
A series of debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas. Helped bolster Lincoln’s reputation, also helped win him his nomination as candidate. -
Lecompton Constitution
Kansas’s second of four constitutions, strongly pro-slavery. Never went into effect. -
John Brown’s Raid
John Brown tried to raid Harper’s Ferry. He was attempting to help bring about the end of slavery, although his exact methods for doing so are disputed. His sons were killed, and he was captured and sentenced to death. -
Election of 1860
Lincoln won presidency. The Southern states threw a temper tantrum, and South Carolina became the first state to secede shortly thereafter.