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The Missouri Compromise
Drew an imaginary line extending west from the southern boarder of Missouri. This line was called the 36'30'' line. This compromise lasted until 1850 -
Compromise of 1850
As more states entered the union there was a need for new compromise. This compromise had California enter as a free state, and has Utah and New Mexico decide their slave policy using popular sovereignty. This compromise also ended slave trade in Washington D.C and made a strict fugitive slave law. -
Fugitive slave law
Required citizens to catch runaway slaves. If a person did not comply they could be fined up to $1000 and be jailed for 6 months. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin is released
A novel written by Harriett Beecher Stowe. Shows the evils of slavery by telling the story of a slave who was whipped to death. After reading Northerners began to change their views of slavery, while southerners said that the book was full of lies. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Creates the Kansas and Nebraska territories. Decided that slavery would be decided with popular sovereignty. Led to violence in the senate. This act is believed to have repealed the Missouri Compromise. -
Pottowatomi creek killings
John Brown and his 4 sons decide to kill 5 pro-slavery men. Many northerners, although they were against slavery, were appalled at what he did. -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott was a slave who was freed. Lost a suit in the supreme court who ruled that Scott was not a person but property and could not file a lawsuit. Also ruled that Congress could not ban slavery in any of the territories, which meant that slavery could possibly spread back into the north and other free states. -
Raid on Harper's Ferry
John Brown led 5 blacks and 13 whites into Harper's Ferry and planned to raid an arsenal and start a slave revolt. No slaves helped, Brown was arrested by Robert E. Lee and hanged. -
Lincoln wins the election
Despite the south's overwhelming support of Douglass, Lincoln won the election and seceded from the union -
War officially breaks out
The attack at Fort Sumter is commonly cited as the start of the civil war. -
Period: to
American Civil War