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Missouri Compromise
In the years following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 Congress needed to expand slavery into the new western territory. Congress reached an agreement which became known as the Missouri Compromise. Missouri became a slave state and Maine a free state. The Missouri Compromise also established a border between northern (free) and southern (slave) states. Some consider it the first step of dividing the nation. -
Wilmot Proviso
At the end of the Mexican-American War David Wilmot proposed the Wilmot Proviso. It banned slavery from the territory acquired from Mexico (California, Utah and New Mexico). Northerners supported the proviso, because they feared expansion of slavery would give the South more power. However southerners opposed this proposal. Nevertheless, the bill was never passed by congress. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was a set of five bills passed by Congress that dealt with the controversial issue of slavery in the United States. It put an end to slave trade in Washington D.C. and strengthened the Fugitive Slave Act. California was admitted as a free state and tipped the balance of power in the Senate. The United States could now expand its territory and enrich the country with gold and natural resources from California. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act was passed on September 18th 1850 by Congress as part of the Compromise of 1850. It required that slaves should be returned to their owners, even if they were in a free state. Owners hung posters with description of the missing slave and offered a reward of $100 or higher. The Fugitive Slave Act caused even more disputes between northern and southern states. The refusal of the north to enforce this act became a reason for South Carolina's secession. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin is an anti-slavery novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Published in 1852, it had a great affect on attitudes towards slavery in the United States. In the novel, the Author paints a picture of life under slavery. Tom, a dignified slave, saves the life of Little Eva, who's father then purchases him. Throughout the novel, Stowe shows heartfelt moments of Tom's and Eva's friendship. Uncle Tom's Cabin was later banned in the southern state, because it promoted anti-slavery. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
The Kansas Nebraska Act was passed by Congress in 1845. It allowed people in Kansas or Nebraska to decide for themselves whether or not to allow slavery in their territory. This act directly repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed slavery in the remainder of the Louisiana Territory. It caused national tensions over slavery including Bleeding Kansas. A series of violent fights over the legality of slaves in the state of Kansas. -
Dred Scott Case
Dred Scott was a slave in Missouri. He resided in Illinois (free state) and in the Louisiana Territory, where slavery became forbidden after the Missouri Compromise. After his return, he filed a case in the Missouri court for his freedom. Dred Scott asserted that his residence in a free territory made him a free man. Still, the majority believed that "a negro, whose ancestors were imported into the U.S. and sold as slaves" (www.oyez.org), could not be an American citizen. Dred Scott lost. -
Lincoln Douglas Debate
The Lincoln Douglas Debate was a series of speeches held in Illinois. There, Abraham Lincoln argued with Stephen Douglass about slavery. People from all around the state came to see these debates, which were usually three hours long. Abraham Lincoln supported the Republican party and wanted to ban the expansion of slavery into new territories. However, Stephen Douglas was a Democrat and claimed each state should be able to decide for themselves. In the end Douglas triumphed over Lincoln. -
John Brown's Raid
John Brown's Raid was an effort by abolitionist John Brown to start a slave revolt in the South. He lead a group of 21 men to Harpers Ferry, where they tried to take over a federal armory. The raid failed and one of Brown's sons was killed in the fight. John Brown was later charged with treason, murder and sentenced to death. "For abolitionists and antislavery activists, black and white, Brown emerged as a hero, a martyr, and ultimately, a harbinger of the end of slavery." (www.archives.gov). -
Lincoln's Election
The Election of 1860 is considered the most important election in American history. There were four strong candidates that competed for presidency. Abraham Lincoln, John C. Breckinridge, Stephen A. Douglas and John Bell. Even though all candidates received votes in the Electoral college, Abraham Lincoln won the highest number of popular votes. This outcome would split the nation apart and start the greatest war of the United States. -
Southern Secession
In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln, South Carolina was the first state to secede from the union. State after state, conventions were held and the Confederacy was formed. Within three months, seven states seceded from the United States. The South feared slavery would not be preserved with Lincoln's election. This was a threat to their economy which was dependent on this institution.
