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Compromise of 1850
This compromise had 5 main points. The Fugitive Act was amended and they started the slave Trade in Washington, D.C. was abolished. Furthermore, California entered the union as a free state and a territorial government was created in the state of Utah. -
Fugitive Slave Act
It stated that any one assisting a slave escape to the north would face severe punishment and that any slave could be returned to its master. This lead to the civil war by angering anti-slavery supporters by limiting their ability to aid runaway slaves. -
Publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin
Popular novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe to inform others of the treatment of salves in the south. This informed those who knew a little about slavery and educating them about the horrors of slavery and motivating them to act to end slavery. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
When these 2 territories were added to the union their status as slave and free state would be decided by popular sovereignty. Caused many pro-slavery and anti-slavery supporters to rush to these states and influence them the vote. -
Economic interests
Southerners made huge profits from cotton and slaves and with a lot of the people trying to get rid of slavery they were losing. -
Pottawatomie Massacre
Led by John Brown, who believed in using violence to aid the end of slavery. Brown and a group of them murdered 5 pro-slavery men along the Pottawatomie Creek. This was one of the main events that gave this time period the name"Bleeding Kansas." -
Dred Scott Decision
When Scott's master passed away in Illinois, Scott claimed he was now free. His master's widow claimed he now belonged to her. This case went all the way to the Supreme Court and Scott lost. Anti-Slavery people were outraged by the decision that the Supreme Court made. -
Cultural values
Southerners believed Northerners had aggressive and hostile designs on their way of life. This anger just built up more and more reasons to start another war. -
John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry
The goal of the mission was to aid the slaves with weapons and start a slave rebellion in West Virginia. John Brown and his men on October 16th, 1859 set up to capture the arsenal but the slaves never came to receive their weapons. This event caused more anger to escalate between anti-slavery and pro-slavery supporters. -
Election of 1860
Lincoln was inaugurated because he only received 40% of the vote but was elected through the Electoral College. His election angered Southerners because they knew he was going to end the expansion of slavery. -
Confederacy Formed
The south seceded from the U.S. and named themselves The Confederate States of America. The appointed leader of this was Jefferson Davis. The first state seceded on December 20,1860 and then the second and last secede was in February of 1861. Lincoln and the North were really mad about the South's secession and planned to take them back. This triggered the outbreak of fighting.