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The Missouri Compromise
When it was being admitted as a state, Missouri requested to be admitted as a slave state, which would throw off the balance the United States had. To solve this issue, Maine was admitted as a free state. An imaginary line was also drawn across the Lousiana Territory to divide free states and slave states in the country. These laws make up the Missouri Compromise. Southerners criticized the Compromise because it established the rule that Congress could make rules about slavery. -
The End of the Mexican-American War
The Mexican-American War came to a conclusion when the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed. This treaty established the Rio Grande as the border between the United States and Mexico and allowed for the States to purchase California and annex Texas. Because of the new land the United States gained, the question of whether or slavery should be legal or not became prevalent again. -
The Passing of the Fugitive Slave Law
In 1850, a revised version of the Fugitive Slave Law was created. This law made it so citizens had to report any runaway slaves and help capture them, as well as ban slaves from having a jury trial. This new law angered many free states. States such as Wisconsin and Vermont made efforts to bypass the law, and abolitionists were more determined to help runaways than they ever were before. -
Publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin
Harriett Beecher Stowe's book Uncle Tom's Cabin was published in 1852 and was hugely successful. Within three months, 300,000 copies of the book had been sold. The story had a major influence on how people viewed slavery. Some saw the book as eye-opening, while others reported that it was inaccurate and foolish. Allegedly, upon meeting Beecher Stowe, Abraham Lincoln said, "So this is the little lady that made this big war." -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed May 30, 1854, in an attempt to ease tensions between the North and South as the debate over slavery raged on. This act supported popular sovereignty and allowed for the territorial organization of Nebraska and Kansas. Despite its original intent, this act being passed sparked more debate over slavery and its legality. -
Brooks Attacks Sumner
Charles Sumner, abolitionist and Senator of Massachusetts, was beaten with a cane by Preston Brooks and left severely injured. Prior to this, Sumner made a passionate speech against slavery, resulting in ridicule from the South and praise from the North. Offended, Brooks, a Southerner, marched into Sumner's office with a cane and attacked him. -
The Rejection of the Lecompton Constitution
The Lecompton Constitution was a set of clauses made by Southerners to protect slavery rights and exclude free African-Americans from a bill of rights. This caused more tension in the country. The Lecompton Constitution was ultimately rejected and Kansas was admitted to the country as a free state. -
The Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott was an African-American slave in the 1850s. He argued that he should be entitled to his rights because he had lived with his owner in a free state before returning to the slave state Missouri. This case resulted in the court deciding that African-Americans in the United States were not citizens whether they were free or enslaved, meaning he had no right to petition for his rights. Abolitionists were outraged by this decision. Tensions between the North and South heightened. -
John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry
John Brown, an abolitionist, led a small group to Harper's Ferry in an attempt to destroy the institution of slavery with an armed raid. The group rounded up hostages and slaves as they continued to raid. Unfortunately for them, by the morning, they were surrounded. Ten of Brown's men were killed. He was charged with treason and murder and was executed December 2nd. The raid resulted in more strain between the North and the South and even higher stakes for the election of 1860. -
The Election of Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln won the presidential election in November of 1860. He was inaugurated March 4, 1861. The election of Abraham Lincoln resulted in Southern states seceding and forming the Confederate States of America as they feared Lincoln would restrict or abolish slavery.
