-
Northwest Ordinance
This allowed states to be admitted into the Union. It was important because it ensured that each new state would be equal to the original 13 colonies. -
3/5 Compromise
This stated that every 3 out of 5 slaves would be counted as citizens, which would contribute to state population. This was important because it settled the debate on whether or not slaves should be seen as citizens. -
Fugitive Slave Act
This allowed southern slave owners to go to the north to retrieve their escaped slaves on free land and they could also press charges against those who helped their slaves escape. It was important because it angered the northerners because some of them were being accused of things they did not do. -
Cotton Gin
This was a machine that sped up the production of cotton in the U.S. This was important because more farmers started to plant cotton since it could be manufactured easily. -
Slave Importation Ban
This was a law passed that said no new slaves could be imported into the U.S. This was important because the slaves had to reproduce their population, while having a high death rate. -
Missouri Compromise
This was an effort made by Congress to preserve the balance of free and slave states. This is important because it was repealed after the Kansas-Nebraska Act. -
Nat Turner Rebellion
This was a slave rebellion which killed over 50 people and was one of the largest slave rebellions in history. It was important because slave owners started to fear their own slaves. -
South Carolina Nullification Crisis
This was when South Carolina declared that tariffs were unconstitutional and they threatened to leave the nation. This is important because this was the first open conflict between the north and the south. -
Organization of Underground Railroad
This was an escape system of underground tunnels that slaves used to escape their owners. This was important because it freed many slaves. -
Wilmont Priviso
This act was never passed but it stated that slavery would be prohibited in new territory from the Mexican war. This was important because it was never passed and led to the idea of popular sovereignty. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
This treaty officially ended the Mexican-American War. It was important because the U.S. gained New Mexico and California in exchange for Mexico City and $15 million. -
Compromise of 1850
This was the idea that California would enter as a free state, Utah and New Mexico would decide with popular sovereignty, slave trade would end in D.C., a new fugitive slave law would be passed, and Texas would give up the claim to New Mexico. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
This was a book about slavery and how slaves were treated written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. This was important because it caused so much controversy between the north and the south. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This act allowed Kansas and Nebraska to use popular sovereignty to see if they would be slave states or free states. This was important because it repealed the 36 30 line of the Missouri Compromise. -
Bleeding Kansas
This was when John Brown led 5 pro slavery men to a settlement near Pottawatomie Creek and killed them in front of their families. This was important because it sparked raids through Kansas. -
Charles Sumner Attacked
This is when Charles Sumner was beat up in congress by Preston Brooks. This was important because Charles Sumner's speech angered southerners. -
Dred Scott Decision
This was a case that occurred when a slave was taken into free territory and he thought he was freed, but his owner disagreed. This is important because court sided with the slave owner and said that slaves are property. -
John Brown's Raid at Harper's Ferry
This was when John Brown raided an arsenal to get weapons for slaves to rebel against their owners. This is important because Brown was then sentenced to be hanged. -
Lincoln's Election
Lincoln won the election of 1860 with no electoral votes from the south. This is important because the south was outraged and finally decided to create their own nation. -
South Carolina Secedes from the Union
South Carolina left the Union because they feared that Lincoln would end slavery. This is important because it started the Civil War.
