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The Missouri Compromise
It was an agreement to maintain a balance between slave states and non slave states, divided by north and south. It was an attempt to ease the tensions between the north and south but only for a temporary time. -
Period: to
1830-1876
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Nat Turners Rebellion
A slave rebellion in Virginia. Nat Turner was an enslaved African American who led a group of followers to rebel against their holders. This resulted in about 60 deaths and brutal rebellion of white mobs and militias. This had a massive impact on the future of slavery. -
The cotton boom
A period between 1830 and 1860 where the cotton gin was being spread which led for a higher demand of cotton. This didn’t speed up the process that it was being picked but instead the speed that it was being de seeded so it led to a higher demand of workers. -
Underground Railroad.
It was a Network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved African Americans to make it to free states. It obviously wasn’t a real railroad but just a system of assistance. There were many brave individuals that helped with it and if they were caught it could lead to their death. The south obviously was upset with this and were staring to rebel against it. -
The Fugitive slave act
The law that required any escaped slaves to be returned to their masters upon capture and citizens of free states had to cooperate. There was significant resistance to this and was a major factor for future conflicts. -
Kansas-Nebraska act
Created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska. It was controversial because it gave the settlers in those territories the choice on whether they wanted to enact slavery or not. -
The election of Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln heavily apposed the expansion of slavery. That led to the secession of Souter states. This made the southerners very upset and therefore had them begin fighting back to keep slavery. -
Abolitionist movement
There were rising calls to abolish slavery in the US entirely. This caused outrage in the south as their main source of money was slavery and they viewed it as a threat to their way of life. -
Economic difference
The north was industrializing at a very fast rate and had an economy based around trade and manufacturing. It favored tariffs and policies to protect the industries. On the flip side the south had an economy revolving around agriculture, mainly the production of cotton and more cash crops. This was heavily dependent on slavery. This lead to conflicting views on politics and the government including the expansion of slavery. -
Battle of Antietam
In September 1862 near Sharpsburg in maryland a major battle broke out. It is referred to as the “bloodiest single day battle in US history. The union army was led by George McClellan, and fought against the confederate army led by Robert E Lee. The battle led to heavy casualties with over 23000 soldiers killed, wounded or other. The union won the battle due to their strategic advantage. The war influenced Lincoln to issue the emancipation proclamation.