-
Second Continental Congress Ends Slave Trade
The Second Continental Congress resolves "that no slaves be imported into any of the thirteen United Colonies. -
Period: to
The Causes of the Civil War
-
Gradual Emancipation in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania adopts the first gradual emancipation law. Under this statute, no new slaves can be brought into the state, and the children of all existing slaves will be freed when they turn 28. -
Northwest Ordinance
The Continental Congress enacts the Northwest Ordinance, prohibiting slavery in the territories north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River. -
Eli Whitney Invents Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney invents the cotton gin, which allows for the cultivation of short- staple cotton and revolutionizes the industry. Makeing more slave needed to pick the cotton -
Gabriel Prosser Plot
Gabriel Prosser conspires to seize Richmond, Virginia with a large force of perhaps 1,000 armed slaves and then proceed with a general slaughter of whites. The conspircie is uncovered and 25 of the conspiretors are exicuted -
Louisiana Purchase Sets Slave Debate
The U.S. purchesed Louisiana from Franch for $15 million. Controversey over the states on weather they should be free states or slave states. -
Slave Trade Ban
Congress passes a law prohibiting Americans from participating in the African slave trade. The ban, which goes into effect in 1808, will be inconsistently enforced until 1861. -
Hartford Convention
A group of New England Federalists gathers in Hartford, Connecticut to discuss long-held grievances regarding the power of slaveholders in the federal government. Known as the "Hartford Convention," the group calls for several amendments to the Constitution, including a requirement for a two-thirds vote of Congress -
Missouri Compromise of 1820
The House and Senate are deadlocked over the question of whether to admit Missouri as a slave state. There is some fear of civil war. -
Slave and Free States Equal
Missouri is admitted to the Union as a slave state, but Congress agrees to forbid slavery in all other territory north of Missouri's southern border. With the addition of Missouri, the Union consists of twelve slave states and twelve free.
