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Eli Whitney's Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney's Cotton Gin was a machine that transformed the cotton industry drastically. The Cotton Gin would separate the cotton seeds from the fibers but at a much faster and more efficient pace. This machine had a huge impact on the economy. Also made for a huge increase in cotton production. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was a compromise to solve the wants of the North and South on what they thought about expanding slavery westward. This Compromise set the foundation of the arguments between the South and North. Sectionalism became a big deal during this time due to all the different opinions on expanding slavery. -
Nat Turner Rebellion
The Nat Turner Rebellion was a remarkable event in History. The event was led by Nat Turner who was an enslaved African American. He and his followers rebelled against slavery, which led to a violent uprising in Virginia. Nat Turner and other slaves had killed 57 white people in one night to try and gain that freedom. They were caught and hung 2 months later. This event opened up questions about whether to keep or get rid of slaves. Slavery only got harsher. -
Compromise of 1850
Henry Clay who wanted to end the slavery dispute created the Compromise of 1850. The Mexican cession was still unorganized the compromise made California a free state and gave Utah and New Mexico the option. This compromise also passed the Fugitive slave act which to some made the dispute worse. South was not happy with this Compromise because it did not guarantee slavery expansion. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act created borders between Kansas and Nebraska. This act led to the option of allowing slavery or not in Kansas and Nebraska. This act was very controversial because it appealed to the Missouri Compromise of 1820. Kansas-Nebraska Act made the tensions worse between pro-slavery and anti-slavery, which soon led to "Bleeding Kansas" an event leading to the civil war. -
Panic of 1857
The event Panic Of 1857 was an economic panic in the country caused by over-investing in businesses that did not produce enough profit. This Panic rather than the South more heavily impacted the North. North dealing with banks closing and factories closing. South saw this as slavery was the only way to go about the panic, slavery couldn't fail unless the legislature prohibited it. The event also increased the slavery dispute with the southern states believing slavery was a necessity. -
Election of 1860
Abraham Lincoln won as the Republican in the 1860 Presidential election. South states feared their economy, which was run by slavery since Lincoln believed in abolishing slavery. The election played a big role in leading up to the Civil War since it increased the tensions between North and South.