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A Dividing Nation
In 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected as president of the United States. After being sworn in, he realized he had much work to be done. As well as many ideas to accomplish, preferably without war. This timeline describes the many events and actions that led to the civil war. -
The Missouri Compromise
~Instead of dividing the nation, congress agreed to a compromise created by Henry Clay.
~This made Missouri a slave state and Maine a free state.
~In the North, people were considered traders
~In the south, there was much resentment toward slaves. -
The Compromise of 1850
~Clay's new compromise had something to please just about anyone.
~A free state was added for the North.
~And New Mexico became "open to slavery.”
~Trade was also ended in D.C.
~Having a compromise like this caused many to realize that war will happen whether they like it or not. -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
~Douglas wanted to build a railroad.
~This railroad would go through the "New" Nebraska Territory.
~Congress said some revisions had to be made.
~So he created two territories Nebraska, and Kansas.
~This haunted the North completely. -
The Dred Scott Case
~This event took place when a slave assumed he was free due to the fact that he went to Wisconsin.
~Scott (the slave) went to the Supreme Court to sue for his freedom.
~The Supreme Court decided that no, this man is not free.
~In a way, they kind of stated that there is no way that people could end slavery.
- This definitely led to war by getting many of the northerners all "Fired Up" -
The Election of 1860
~The race for president in 1860 reflected on this divided nation.
~Republicans were united behind Lincoln.
~But the democrats had split for many different candidates.
~Because the Democratic Party was divided as such "Lincoln sailed to victory".
~For the Northerners, they now knew the south was the minority. -
Attack on fort Sumter
~About a month after Lincoln was elected, fire opened up on fort Sumter.
~After 33 hours of war, the fort was burned down and replaced by a white flag of surrender.
~Upon hearing this news the Northerners were very upset.
~Now the temporarily solved issues by compromise after compromise would now be decided by war.
