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Slaves Brought to America
Slaves were first brought to America to work in fields, and utilize the land like the English didn't know how to. Some of the main crops they would help in planting and harvesting was sugarcane, tobacco, maize, etc.. -
Slave Trade Abolished
The Abolition of the Slave Trade Act was passed in 1807, in which it prohibited the trafficking and engaging in the slave trade in British colonies. However, it still continued throughout the Caribbean Islands for a few years. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was made in an effort to maintain a balance between free and slave states in America. It admitted Missouri into the country as a slave state, and Maine as a free state. -
Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso was an Act put into effect during the Mexican War that lasted through to 1848. This Act stated that it was illegal to have any slaves in territory acquired from Mexico. However, this did not stop people from trying to smuggle them in. -
Dred Scott vs. Sanford Supreme Court Case
Dred Scott and his wife, Harriet, both filed for freedom after being taken slave from a free state. The case took 11 years to finish, and made its way up to the Supreme Court. And in 1857, the verdict came back against the Scotts and their children. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was created as to not upset the balance between free and slave states at the time California wanted to join the Union. As a part of this, the Washington D.C. slave trade was abolished, and the Fugitive Slave Act was amended. -
Fugitive Slave Acts
These Acts issued the power for local governments to seize and return any runaway slaves. In 1850 it came to be edited that runaways who helped escaping slaves would have even harsher punishments than before. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin Published
Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote a book entitled Uncle Tom's Cabin that featured Uncle Tom, a forgiving and caring slave. It also starred Simon Legree, a cruel and ruthless slave owner from the south. This book inspired many to join in support of the Abolition Movement. It also angered the southerners as they did not like themselves being represented by Simon. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This Act allowed Nebraska and Kansas to choose for themselves if they would be free or slave states. This went against the Missouri Compromise of 1820, but was still passed. -
Bleeding Kansas
Also known as Bloody Kansas or the Border War, this was a series of violent political confrontations between the northerners who were anti-slavery and the southerners who were pro-slavery. This lasted until 1861. -
John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry
This was a movement organized by abolitionist John Brown to start an armed slave revolt. Brown wanted to take control of Harper's Ferry(now in West Virginia), but was ultimately unsuccessful. However, this did strike fear for the southerners because it brought about the idea of more slave revolts.
