-
U.S. Constitution – 3/5th Compromise
The 3/5th Compromise was an agreement made during the Constitutional Convention that determined that three out of five slaves were counted in a states population. The 3/5th compromise gave an unfair representation of the population in the south putting more southerners in the House of Representatives. -
Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance set up government in the Northwest Territory and prohibited slavery in that area. The Northwest Ordinance was the first time the U.S. government had prohibited slavery in an area. -
Fugitive Slave Act 1793
The Fugitive Slave Act required escaped slaves to be returned to their masters even if they were in a free state. The Act caused northerners to actively participate in slavery by returning fugitive slaves. -
Invention of Cotton Gin
The invention of the cotton gin made processing cotton more efficient than it had ever been. The invention of the cotton caused a massive rise in slavery and the biggest economic boom in U.S. history. -
Ban on Slave Importation
The ban on slave importation prohibited Americans from participating the slave trade. The ban increased the tension between the north and the south. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri compromise officially drew a line between slave states and free states. The Missouri compromise marked the beginning of the war on expanding slavery. -
Nat Turner's Rebellion
Nat Turner's rebellion was a massacre of white people started by a slave named Nat Turner. Nat Turner's rebellion spread fear of a slave revolts throughout the south. -
South Carolina Nullification Crisis
During the South Carolina Nullification Crisis, South Carolina attempted to nullify a federal tariff. South Carolina also threatened to succeed. This caused the beginning of succession theory. -
Organization of Underground Railroad
The underground railroad was network of people and safe houses that helped slaves escape to freedom. The Underground Railroad created harsher slave laws and made southerners very angry. -
Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso banned slavery in territories won in the Mexican American War. The Wilmot Proviso increased the tension between slave and non slave states. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The treat of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican American War. The treaty added territory to the United States reigniting the debate of slave vs. free states. -
Compromise of 1850
The compromise of 1850 was a temporary solution to the issue of slaver proposed by Henry Clay. The compromise had five parts, it added California as free state, gave Utah and New Mexico popular sovereignty, abolished the slave trade in Washington DC, added the fugitive slave law, and adjusted the border of Texas. This enraged northern Abolitionists and added to the sectional tension between the north and south. -
Uncle Toms Cabin is Published
Uncle Toms Cabin was a book published by Harriet Beecher Stowe that gave people a look into the life of a slave. This book changed the attitude towards slavery and strengthened the abolition movement. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act repealed the Missouri Compromise and added the territories of Kansas and Nebraska. The Missouri Compromise being repealed further enraged northern abolitionists and increased the tension of the debate over slavery. -
Bleeding Kansas
Bleeding Kansas was a series of violent confrontations over the legality of slavery in the Kansas territory. Bleeding Kansas showed the country that armed conflict over slavery could not be avoided. -
Charles Sumner Attacked
After Charles Sumner gave a speech against slavery, South Carolina representative Preston Brooks beat Charles Sumner unconscious with a metal topped cane. This attack showed that the violent debate over slavery had reached the heart of our government. -
Dred Scott Decision
The Dred Scott Decision was an attempt to sue for freedom by a slave named Dred Scott. The court decided that because he was a slave he had no right to sue. This decision upheld slavery in the states. -
John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry
Radical abolitionist John Brown attempted to raid and capture a federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry Virginia. John Brown was eventually captured and convicted of treason. Brown's raid gave northern abolitionists a martyr and the south a terrorist. -
Lincolns Election
Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln was elected on November 6, 1860. Lincolns election caused outrage in the south. The south declared that they would not have Abraham Lincoln as president. This anger lead to the secession of southern states shortly after. -
South Carolina Secedes from Union
After Lincolns election, South Carolina seceded from the union on December 20, 1860. South Carolinas Secession lead to the secession of ten other states and kicked off the Civil War.