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Missouri Compromise
Missouri wanted to join union as a slave state. Legislation made a compromise that admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a non slave state. It also outlawed slavery above the 36 60 altitude line in the remainder of the territory. -
Gag Rule
Act of congress that postponed action on all petitions or letters that were being sent to congress that demanded the abolishment of slavery. -
Fugtivie Slave Act
Another result of the comprise of 1850. The act required that slaves be returned to their owners if they were in a free state. Also made federal government responsible for finding, returning, and trying free slaves. -
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Bleeding Kansas
A sequence of violent events involving abolishonists and pro slavery elements that was a direct result of the Kansas and Nebraska act. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
Repealed the Missouri compromise, created two new territories, and allowed for popular sovereignty. -
Dred Scott Decision
Supreme Court that rejected the claim of a slave who argued that time spent with his owner in regions that barred slavery had made him a free man. Court decision stated that: Black citizens were not citizens so they could not sue in federal court; Because a slave is their master's property, they can be taken into any territory and held there in slavery; Congress had no power to ban slavery from the territories. -
Lecompton Constitution
Pro-slavery constitution written for Kansas' admission to the union in opposition to the anti-slavery. The people were only allowed to vote for the constitution "with slavery" or "without slavery." -
John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry
Attempt to start an armed slave revolt by seizing a United States Arsenal at Harpers Ferry in Virginia in 1859. Brown's raid was defeated by a detachment of U.S. Marines led by Col. Robert E. Lee. -
Lower South Secede
South Carolina seceded from the Union first in January of 1861. Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana followed afterwards. -
Attack on Fort
The Battle of Fort Sumter (April 12-14, 1861) was the bombardment and surrender of Fort Sumter, near Charleston, South Carolina, that started the American Civil War. Following declarations of secession by seven Southern states, South Carolina demanded that the US Army abandon its facilities in Charleston Harbor.