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The Missouri Compromise
Defused the sectional and political rivalries triggered by the request of Missouri late in 1819 for admission as a state in which slavery would be permitted. -
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The end of the Mexican-American War
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed on February 2, 1848, ended the Mexican-American War in favor of the United States. The war had begun almost two years earlier, in May 1846, over a territorial dispute involving Texas. -
The Fugitive Slave Law is passed
A law passed by the United States congress for balancing the amount of enslaved and free states. -
Uncle Tom’s Cabin is published
An anti slavery novel is published by Harriet Beecher Stowe. -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act repealed the Missouri Compromise, created two new territories, and allowed for popular sovereignty. It also produced a violent uprising known as “Bleeding Kansas,” as proslavery and antislavery activists flooded into the territories to sway the vote. -
Brooks attacks Sumner
Two days after the end of Sumner's speech, Brooks entered the Senate chamber where Sumner was working at his desk. Brooks proceeded to strike Sumner over the head repeatedly with a gold-tipped cane. The cane shattered as Brooks rained blow after blow on the hapless Sumner, but Brooks could not be stopped. Only after being physically restrained by others did Brooks end the pummeling. -
The Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott was enslaved and his family was suing to get him released. -
Lecompton Constitution Rejected
The Lecompton Constitution, the second constitution drafted for Kansas Territory, was written by proslavery supporters. The document permitted slavery (Article VII), excluded free blacks from living in Kansas, and allowed only male citizens of the United States to vote. -
John Brown raids Harper’s Ferry
An armed slave revolted the United States arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Brown's party of 22 was defeated by a company of U.S. Marines, led by First Lieutenant Israel Greene -
The Election of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th president of the United State, but received only 40 percent of the popular vote but handily defeated the three other candidates: Southern Democrat John C. Breckinridge, Constitutional Union candidate John Bell, and Northern Democrat Stephen Douglas.
