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Missouri Crisis (R)
Disputes between pro-slave and anti-slave groups in Missouri to decide whether to have slavery in Missouri. Increased tensions because of the arguments over whether to have slavery or not. -
Underground Railroad (R)
Increased tensions because it helped slaves escape from the south to the north. -
Missouri Compromise (B)
Prohibited slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the southern border of Missouri, but not in Missouri. Decreased tension because it gave both sides something that they wanted. -
William Garrison publishes The Liberator (R)
Newspaper published from 1831 to 1865 that advocated the immediate ending of slavey. Increased tensions because it caused more argument between the north and south. -
Nat Turner's Slave Revolt (R)
Slave rebellion in Southhampton, Virginia. 55-65 people died and rebellion was put down in a few days. Increased tensions because it caused the South to want to have a tighter hold on their slaves. -
Texas annexation of 1844 (R)
Texas was added to the USA as a state after declaring independence from Mexico. North didn't want to add it because it would be a slave state. Increased tensions by adding another state to argue about between the north and south. -
Wilmot Provisio (R)
proposed law to ban slavery in territory acquired from Mexico in the Mexican War. Increased tensions because it caused more argument between the north and south over slavery in future territory. -
Compromise of 1850 (B)
Texas surrendered claims to New Mexico, California admitted as a free state, discarded the Wilmot Provisio, and Utah and New Mexico could decide if they wanted slavery or not. Also banned slavery in DC and added the Fugitive Slave law. Decreased tensions by giving each side something they wanted. -
Fugitive slave law (B)
Part of the compromise of 1850. Forced slaves to be returned to owners even if they escaped to a free state. Decreased tensions because it gave the south something they wanted as a part of the compromise of 1850. -
Publication of Uncle Toms Cabin (R)
Anti slavery novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Increased tensions by providing an argument against slavery from the north. -
Formation of Republican Party (R)
Republican party formed by former whig party to oppose slavey. Increased tensions because it allowed anti-slave people to form around a political party. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act (R)
Act to let Kansas and Nebraska decide if they wanted slavey or not. Increased tensions because it violated the agreement of the Missouri compromise, which did not allow slavery in these territories. -
Bleeding Kanas (R)
Period of violence during settling of Kanas. Pro-slave and anti-slave factions fought for control of the state. Increased tensions because of the fighting between the groups. -
Dredd Scott Supreme Court decision (R)
Court affirmed right to bring slaves to non slave states. Increased tensions by creating argument between north and south -
Lincoln Douglas Debates (R)
Debates between Lincoln and Douglas for the presidential race. Increased tensions as people became polarized around their candidate. -
John Brown's Raid at Harper's Ferry (R)
Abolitionists captured people and seized the federal armory and arsenal at harpers ferry to try to create a slave revolt. Increased tensions because it caused fighting between pro and anti slave people. -
Election of 1860 (R)
Lincoln won the election, which led to the south seceding from the union. Increased tensions because the country was divided between the two candidates.
