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1856 The Case of Dred Scott
Dred Scott was a slave taken to a free state to live with his master so he thought that that made him a free man. He went to court to fight for his freedom. The Supreme court ruled that he was not a citizen, as stated by the slave owners’ law so he couldn’t sue in a U.S court. -
1856 Presidential Election
James Buchanan was for the Democrats. The Know-Nothing party was with Millard Fill More. The Republicans chose John C. Fremont to represent them. The winner of the election was James Buchanan. -
1858 Lincoln and Douglass Debate
Lincoln and Douglass had a series of debates mostly over the issue of slavery. Lincoln was against the expansion of slavery. Douglass said that the states should be able choose the slavery in their state. Douglass won, but those debates made Lincoln a national figure. -
1859 John Brown
In 1859, John Brown attacked Harper’s Ferry. He was trying to capture the arsenal and inspire slaves to rebel against slavery. . His attempt failed and he was then captured, convicted, and executed. -
1860 Southern States Secede
Southerners threatened to secede if Lincoln was elected. Their excuse for seceding was that they voluntarily joined the Union, so they had had the right to leave. -
1860 Presidential Election
The election turned out to be 2 different races. Lincoln and Douglass were supported by the North. Breckinridge and Bell were supported by the South. The election made it clear that the nation was not for a compromise. Lincoln won the election because the North had more people. -
December 20, 1860-South Carolina
South Carolina was the first state to secede. They set off the chain of events that led to the formation of the Confederate states of America. -
Jefferson Davis President of Confederacy
After the formation of the Confederate states of America, they elected Jefferson Davis as their president. -
1861 Confederates of America
South Carolina was the 1st state to leave the Union. By 1861, 6 more states had left. They formed the Confederate States of America. -
February 1861 Crittenden Plan
In February 1861, Senator John J. Crittenden from Kentucky created a compromise. That plan was later called the Crittenden Plan. Unfortunately for him, that plan didn’t pass.
