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Missouri Compromise of 1820
Missouri wanted to become a state but this would upset the balance of the free and slave states: so a compromise was brought forth Missouri would enter as a slave state and Maine would enter as a free state. This wpould also draw the line 36 30'. -
Tariff of Abominations
Congress passed a tariff or tax on imported goods. This outraged many southerns because it caused them to have to buy goods from the North instead of cheaper goods from other countries and prohibited them from selling their cotton to other countries. It benefited the North because more people would buy their good s and boost their economy. -
Wilmot Proviso
A proposal by David Wilmot that slavery shouldn't be extended into the land won from the Mexican War. This would help divide Congress -
Free-soil Party
Developed in 1840's the Free-soilers came from the ever splitting gap between pro and anti-slavery. They came from Democrats and Whigs who didn't believe slavery should spread. -
Compromise of 1850
A series of Acts that both the South and the North would agree to in order to postpone a war between the states. These acts include; California Act, Texas & New Maxico Act, Utah Act, Fugitive Slave Act, Abolition of slave trade in district of Columbia. -
Fugitive Slave Act
Part of the Compromise of 1850, this act made harsh punishments for those who would help escape slaves even if they were in a state where slavery was illegal. This would make those who helped think twice and people who were quiet on slvery even angrier. -
Differing economies of the North and the South
The Economy of the North was a industrial and business based economiy where as the South was mainly based on agriculture and export to foreign countries -
Uncle Toms Cabin
After hearing of many slaves and the way they were mistreated Harriett Beecher Stowe wrote series of short stories for an anti-slavery newspaper. They were then published in a novel that would become extremely successful. This book would increase tensions and anger southerners even more. -
Kansas_Nebraska Act
This act let the Kansas and Nebraska to decide whether or not they would be a free or slave state. This infuriated the North because they still thought of the Missouri Compromise as still standing. This would lead to many pro and anti-slavery people rushing to Kansas and Nebraska. -
Republican Party
Formed from a meeting of Free-soiler and Northern Whigs who responded to the Kansas-Nebraska Act.They wanted to abolish slavery and keep slavery from spreading. -
Know-Nothing Party 1854-1856
A political party that was strongly against immigration. It became known as the know-nothing party because it was a semi secret party and when a mamber was asked about the parties activities they would state "I know nothing". -
Sack of Lawrence
The town Lawrence in Kansas became seen as the center for anti-slavery activity. President Pierce under the influence of pro-slavery officials sent a group to arrest the leaders of the anti-slavery; looting and destroying much of the town in the process. -
Brooks/Sumner Senate Caning
A Southern Senator caned a Northern Senator to death after he was tired of hearing him rant for two days. This would infuriate the north and only give the south a sence of pride, proven when many of the southern senators sent him a new cane since he had broke his. -
Pottawatomie Massacre(Bleeding Kansas)
After the sacking of Lawerence John Brown was outraged. He led a small group that would drag out five pro-slvery settlers and execute them. This outrage the south and depended tensions even more. -
Election of 1856
Between James Buchanan, John C. Fremont, Millard Fillmore, JAmes Buchanan won. It was a heated election because of the sides of slavery that the men were taking. Buchanan had 174 votes, Fremont 114, and Fillmore 8. -
Dred Scott Decision
After sueing for his freedom the Supreme Court ruled against Dred Scott. He argued that since he and his owner had lived where slavery was illegal that he was free and should not be made to stay a slave, the Supreme Court did not agree. This made the North fear that slavery would expand. -
Freeport Doctrine
Douglas debated with Lincoln over the matter of slavery. He asked how could they use popular soveriengty to keep slavery out of states when the Dred Scott Decision said otherwise. This backed Lincoln into a corner even though he tried to explain the immorality of slavery. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debate
A series of debates between Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln for senate. Where Douglas spoke with passion and flaire Abraham was cool calm and collected. Douglas pushed Abraham and painted an image of a society where all races were equal. Douglas won the senate seat. -
Harpers Ferry Incident
John Brown and some followers led an attack on a U.S. arsenal with the intent of arming slaves so that they could rise up in a revolt. After the attack on the arsenal no slaves would join Brown and his followers. Later on he and his people would be arrested, tried, and then hung. -
Underground Railroad(Harriet Tubman)
After escaping from slavery herself Harriet Tubman led groups of other slaves to freedom even though the risk were great. She used a series of secret houses that would hide the slves during the day and they would travel under the covor of night. This is known as the undergtround railroad. -
Election of 1860
Between Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Douglas, John Beckinridge, John Bell in the run for presidency Abraham Lincoln would become our new president. This would lead to a war with the south. -
South Carolina Secession
One month after Lincolns election South Carolina would be the first to secede from the Union. They would soon be followed by Mississippi, Florida Alabama, Georgia, Louisianna, and Texas. Four other states would threaten to secede but they would not do so till later on. -
Formation of Confederate States of America
After Lincoln takes office many southern state that are pro-slavery secede and become their own country; the Confederate States. They begin to makes their own constitution and money. -
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter was a Union military base in the South. The south wanted the Union to either surrender the fort or they would attack. Before supplies could arrive the Confederate Artilary opened fire on April 12, 1861 and the next day the fort surrendered to the south.
