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The SEED of SLAVERY!
On the date of August 1619, dutch slave ships were led astray by a storm at sea, and landed in the unknown destination of Jamestown. Here we first see slaves being used in Virginia as mere indentured servants, but it developed into the view of these people being workers with no rights. This led to the Civil War. -
The Northwest Ordinance
In the year of 1787, the US passed the Ordinance of 1787 Act, which created the first organized US territory. The act also established that the territory prohibit slavery. Although trivial at the time, this division set the stage for a national competition over the admission of free or slave states. This led to the Civil War. -
Constitution - Article I. Section VIIII
Contrary to popular belief, slavery WAS constitutional, and was mentioned 3 times! The United States constitution stated that slave trade will be permitted and, "shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight." This created a basis for Pro-slavery arguements to be made, and defended by "Surpreme Law" . This led to the Civil War. -
Invention of the Cotton Gin
Before the invention of the cotton gin, using slave labor for cotton harvesting was deemed an unprofitable practice. The labor could be put to better use than to meticulously pick out cotton seeds from the real treasure. But then Eli Whitney invents and patents his finely crafted cotton gin. His machine was able to produce 50lbs of cotton one day. And so the dying slave practice EXPLODED across the south, and creates the "Cotton Kingdom." This led to the Civil War. -
The Compromise of 1820/The Missouri Compromise
In 1819, Missouri applied for admission to the Union as a slave state. But conflict had arisen! There were already 11 free states and 11 slave states, and so to accept Missouri would lead to an imbalance! Fortunately, Maine was also applying for statehood, which meant that both territories could be accepted as a pair in the Compromise of 1820, and established that slavery would be prohibited above the parallel 36°30′ north. Already we can see division among the union. This led to the Civil War. -
Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso was a law proposed, during the Mexican-American war, by congressman David Wilmot. The proposed law suggested that any territory acquired during the war would be banned from slavery. The national strife was now being discussed ahead of time! The war had not even ended, and consessioned land was already being debated! The north and south are now seeking out advantages to gain over the other. This led to the Civil War. -
The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 occured in 1850 and was a series of 5 bills proposed by Henry Clay. The topic of the admission of California, and other woiuld-be states, as a free, or slave state was a controversial one. The most significant bill established that the Utah and New Mexico territory allowed slavery based on popular sovereignty, and in theory, this was the perfect solution, but this was considered a foul move by radicals who quickly took action to meet their needs. This led to the Civil War. -
The Raid on Harpers Ferry
John Brown was an absolute abolitionist fanatic! John Brown's history of murder, mutilation, and single mindedness roared terror into the south! On October 16, Brown and 11 followers intended to stir an insurrection among southern slaves. But to do this, Brown needed to arm the slaves, and had planned on commandeering a Federal US arsenal. Although unsuccesful, people in the South were horrified by the events, and no longer felt safe in the Union! This led to the Civil War. -
Abraham Lincoln's Election
Although only winning 40% of the popular vote, Lincoln won the majorirty of the electoral vote, and was elected, by the Union, to be the 16th president. Alas, the southern voice bellowed in outrage! They would not approve of this antithetical president! The cotton kingdom, specifically South Carolina, presumed they could predict Lincoln's actions, and chose to SECEDE from the Union, rather than put up with it. This led to the Civil War, -
The Battle of Fort Sumter
On April 12, the Confederate State of South Carolina had ordered the surrender of the US Coastal Fort of Sumter at Charleston, South Carolina. Lincoln, having advised the appointed leader, Major Anderson, to "hold on until fired upon," refused the surrender! The confederate states were now ordered to bombard the fort, and did so for 34 hours straight until captulation. The Civil War...had begun!
