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Nat Turner's Rebellion
Nat Turner was an enslaved man living in Southampton County, Virginia. As a child, he taught himself how to read, hoping for emancipation. Turner became quite spiritual, having visions that helped lead to this event. On August 21st, 1831, Turner, members of his family, and friends rebelled, killing at least 55 men, women, and children, all of whom were white. The rebellion was quickly put to a harsh end by the white militia. This event led to hopes of voulantry emancipation being gone forever. -
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The "Gag Rule"
Gag rules are rules that stop a representative body from considering, discussing, or raising of a specific issue/topic. In this case, during the 24th Congress session, a gag rule was placed on the topic of slavery, ignoring all of the antislavery petitions they were receiving from abolitionists. This rule was first proposed by Rep. James Hammond (SC) in 1835. Some representatives opposed this rule but were finally successful in repealing the rule in 1844, led by Rep. John Quincy Adams. -
The Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso was proposed by Democratic representative David Wilmot (PA) in 1846. The proviso (which was attached to an appropriations bill) stated that all territory gained from the Mexican-American War would not be open to slavery. This caused further division between the North and South due to a general difference in opinions on the institution of slavery. The House of Representatives approved both the bill and proviso. When the Senate met, the bill was approved but not the proviso. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act was part of the 1850 Compromise. This act made it so enslaved people would be forced to return to their owners (even in free states). It made the federal government responsible for handling escaped enslaved people. This caused controversy and resistance from many Northern states and abolitionists. Abolitionist movements like the Underground Railroad also peaked during the 1850s, helping enslaved people gain freedom by fleeing to the Northern United States (and Canada). -
Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Uncle Tom's Cabin was published in 1852 by Harriet Beecher Stowe as a two volume book, based on her piece written for the antislavery newspaper The National Era. Stowe wrote about slavery and immediately captured the attention of white audiences. Her goal was to make readers feel empathy for the characters which would make them empathetic to abolitionist causes. This book helped bring attention to the horrors of slavery, leading many to reevaluate their beliefs. -
Sen. Brooks Beats Sen. Sumner with Cane
Sen. Charles Sumner (MA), an antislavery Republican, spoke on the issue of Kansas' admission as a free or slave state. He cited two Democrats: Stephan Douglas (IL) and Andrew Butler (SC) as being responsible. Sen. Preston Brooks (SC) didn’t stand for the slander against Butler. After the Senate adjourned, Brooks went to the chamber and began beating Sumner with a cane.This caused tensions to rise between northerners and southerners; their beliefs so different that it led to physical violence. -
Lecompton Constitution
The Lecompton Constitution was written by the pro-slavery Lecompton Convention. This was in regards to Kansas' role as a free or slave state. The document never took effect though, due to a high amount of opposition. This crisis over Kansas, popular sovereignty, and slavery led to the fracturing of the Democratic party and a strengthening of the Republicans. This party fracture led to the Republicans winning the 1860 election, a catalyst for the South's secession. -
Dred Scott v. Sandford Decision
Dred Scott was enslaved by John Emerson in 1833 and was moved to Wisconsin. The Scott family was then under a new enslaver, and Scott then sued for his family’s freedom, arguing that they lived in a territory (WI) that banned slavery. The decision stated that Black people were not considered as U.S citizens (but as property) and therefore had no right to sue in federal court. This outcome only made tensions between the North and South worse. -
John Brown & the Harpers Ferry Raid
John Brown was a white abolitionist who didn’t shy away from using violence to spread his antislavery beliefs. On October 16th, 1859, Brown and his supporters attempted to raid the Federal Armory in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The plan was to take weapons and arm the slave population. They took hostages and freed slaves. In total, 16 people died, 10 were Brown’s men. They were caught by military forces in two days. This event led to hopes of compromise between the North and South impossible. -
1860 Presidential Election
The main focus of the election was the topic of slavery and states rights. Lincoln (R) eventually came out victorious against the other various candidates, a fact that did not help the fractured Democrat party. The way electoral votes were split showed how divided the two regions were (Lincoln received no electoral votes in the south, the other candidates received few votes from the north).