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Invention of the Cotton Gin
The Cotton Gin was invented by Eli Whitney to effectively and efficiently remove seeds from cotton. Before the invention cotton seeds were hand picked resulting in only one pound of cotton picked each day.. With the invention of the Cotton Gin seeds could be picked from fifty pounds of cotton each day. Link text -
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Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was built to help enslaved people escape to their freedom. The Underground Railroad was successful because many participated to guide slaves through the routes. People who helped included free-born blacks, whites, and Native Americans. Link -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was passed in 1820 to resolve northern and southern ideas of slavery which created the line of 36'30'. This left 11 free states (north) and 10 slaves states (south) for the moment, and in Missouri slavery was prohibited. 30 years later this bill was repealed by a different act. Link Primary Source -
Tariff of 1828 & Nullification Crisis
The Tariff of 1828 was passed to protect northern and western agricultural products to compete against foreign imports. This meant that taxes on foreign imports would rise making it more expensive to purchase. Calhoun argued for the Nullification. A state could nullify a federal law if it seemed unconstitutional to them. link -
Nat Turner's Rebellion
Nat Turner was a African slave who led a successful rebellion. tHIS Rebellion played an important role in the development of antebellum of slave society. A black slave preacher believed Nat was destined to led blacks to freedom, but Nat was killed during the rebellion. Link -
The Liberator is Published
The work of William Lloyd Garrison made him hated and loved by many Americans. He was the voice of Abolitionism and became leader of the emerging anti-slavery movement. The Liberator is Garrison's most important abolitionist activity. Link -
Wilmot Proviso
Wilnmot Proviso was an appropriation bill for the funding of newly acquired territory. It also prohibited the expansion of slavery into US territory acquired by Mexico due to the Mexican-American War. This impacted the division of the Democratic Party and the nation over slavery. Link -
Compromise of 1850
This compromise stated California was a slave free state. It also created a border between Texas and the United States. However, just like the Compromise of 1820, this act did not last long. primary source -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This act repealed the Missouri Compromise, allowing slavery to cross north of the 36 30' latitude line. According to this act the slavery would be decided by the residents of each territory. Pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers rushed to Kansas trying to impact the result of the territory. link primary source -
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'Bleeding Kansas'
Right after the Kansas-Nebraska Act Kansas became a battleground over the issue of slavery. The North quickly took action and sent settlers to Kansas to defend the free territory. On March 30, 1855, another election was held to determine Kansas situation-votes voted against slavery. linkprimary source -
Uncle Tom's Cabin is Published
Uncle Tom's Cabin was a popular novel in the 19th century. Stowe's novel brought attention of those who did not take notice of the horrific slave conditions. This book was controversial as soon as it appeared. Link -
Brooks-Sumner Event
Brooks was outraged by what Sumner had said publicly about Senator Butler. Brooks paid Sumner a visit in his chamber and struck him in the head many times until he was pulled off of Sumner. The house wanted to expel brooks, but didn't have the votes to do so. link -
Dred Scott Decision
The Supreme Court affirmed the right of slaves owners to bring slaves into the west due to Dred Scott's case. Dred Scott sued his slaver owner Emerson for his freedom. Dred Scott tried to free his wife, two daughters, and himself. [link](www.history.com/this-day-in-history/dred-scott-decision) primary source -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
These face to face debates between Lincoln and Douglas were for a seat in the Senate. There were seven debates in total which were all held throughout Illinois. Lincoln lost these debates. He expressed that enslaved people should have the same rights as others. After he was defeated in these debates people started to see the better in Lincoln. primary source speech -
John Brown's raid On Harpers Ferry
Brown led an army of 13 people in Harpers Ferry, Virginia as a major slave rebellion. He thought that he would gain people to support his raid while he was marching into the town, but he was wrong. His army ended up surrendered, Brown was captured and sentenced to death. link primarysource trial -
Secession of Southern States
Shortly after Lincoln's election Southern states started to secede from the Union - followed by Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. The first state to secede was South Carolina which did not obtain a single for him for the election. Senators from South Carolina started to resign as well. link -
Election of 1860
Douglas was seen as a traitor by southern Democrats because of his support of popular sovereignty. Later, Abraham Lincoln was seen as a potential candidate and best choice for president. As the results from the election, Lincoln received 40% of the popular vote and 180 electoral votes-he became president. link -
Fort Sumter is Fired Upon
when Fort Sumter is fired upon the American Civil War began. Fort Sumter caused tension between the Union and Confederacy for months. Earlier in January it was attempted to resupply the fort, but failed when rebels fired at the incoming ship making it turn around.Linkprimary source
