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Nat Turner’s Rebellion
Nat Turner, a slave, caused an uprising in plantations in southern Virginia, where Turner and about 70 others killed around 60 white people. This rebellion was ended two days later by militia, but caused 55 slaves including turner to be executed along with around 200 more by the ferocious mob in a bloodlust. This resulted in Virginia law makers to take away what little civil rights that slaves and black peoples had at the time, creating more suppression and tension. -
Battle of the Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo occurred during Texas’s war for independence from Mexico, and lasted thirteen days. It was the battle that ensured and won independence officially for Texas, with slavery being the main reasoning behind the war. This promoted more tension as a result for winning independence for Texas, allowing slavery to exist in Texas. -
The Mexican-American War Ends
The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on 02/02/1848 added 525,000 square miles to United States territory, of which became slave-state territory. This ignited tensions and more debate over the balance of free to slave states, eventually leading to the American Civil War. -
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“Bleeding Kansas”
After the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed, Kansas was declared popular sovereignty to decide whether the state will be free or a slave state. This caused supporters of both sides to flood in, causing mass violence, tension, and bloodshed between the sides, giving it the name “Bleeding Kansas”. -
Charles Sumner attacked by Preston Brooks
After taking personal offense to the insulting of Andrew Butler, being one of Andrew Butler’s South Carolina Kingsman, in the “Crime Against Kansas” speech, Preston Brooks proceeded to cane Charles Sumner unconscious on the U.S. Senate floor. This caused debate and tension between he pro and anti slavery sides, with both members of the conflict being named hero’s to their respective side. -
Pottawatomie Massacre
On May 24, 1856, John Brown with five of his sons and three others killed five men that were pro slavery in the middle of the night, at three different cabins along the banks of Pottawatomie Creek. Brown and his supporters did this in response to the sacking of Lawrence several days before and the attack on Charles Sumner by Preston Brooks. -
Dred Scott v. Sanford
A Virginia slave named Dred Scott attempted to sue for his freedom in court. After he lost this case on the basis on him being “property”, it caused more tension and caused the Southern states to challenge the territorial limits on slavery. -
Lincoln Douglas Debates
Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln had seven public debates in Illinois over slavery during their campaign fir senate. Douglas won, but this brought the nations attention to Lincoln and caused him to be nominated for president in 1860. This republican president caused the controversies and tension between the republicans and democrats that created the secession. -
John Browns Raid
John Brown and 19 of his followers started a raid on the federal armory and arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, to steal weapons, guns and ammunition to set slaves free, supply and arm them. A small force of U.S. Marines put down the uprising. On October 27, Brown was tried for treason by the state of Virginia and hung on December 2nd. This increased violence towards the South, while it increased want for succession for Southerners. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
Confederate warships chased a supply convoy sent by president Lincoln to Fort Sumter and opened fire on the fort. This lasted for 34 hours and the Fort surrendered on April 14th.