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Compromise of 1850
California is admitted into the Union as a free state. Utah and New Mexico can decide to be either a slave or free state themselves and Texas gives up claims to New Mexico. There will no longer be slave sales in Washington D.C. -
The Fugitive Slave Act
This act required citizens to apprehend any runaway slaves. -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854
The act divided the Kansas and Nebraska territory into two. Nebraska in the north and Kansas in the south. This act repealed the Missouri Compromise and established popular sovereignty in both territories. -
The Election of 1856
John Buchanan (democrat) is elected president and defeats John C. Fremont (a member of the newly formed republican party). -
"Bleeding Kansas"
Fight to become a slave state erupted in Kansas. Abolitionist developed a government in Topeka. Eventually violence broke out in the state developing the territory name "Bleeding Kansas". It lasted from 1855 till 1861. -
Dred Scott Case
Dred Scott, a slave, had been taken into a free state and sued for his freedom. The court ruled that since Dred Scott was property and not a citizen he could not sue. -
Harper Ferry Raid
John Brown leads a raid into Virginia to arm close clave,but the raid failed. (It lasted from October 16 - 18, 1859) -
Election of 1860
Lincoln is elected president without a single electoral vote from the South. -
South Caroline's Goodbye
After enraged by Lincoln's election, South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the Union. -
Confederate Election
Jefferson Davis is elected president of the Confederate States of America. -
Battle Erupts
The battle of First Bull Run (Virginia) was the first land battle of the civil war. It was also the first signs of "Stonewall" Jackson's force. -
Lee On Top
General Lee defeats McClellan in the Sevens Days Battles (a series of battles over the course of seven days), protecting Richmond. -
The Emancipation Proclamation
This proclamation freed the slaves in rebellious states. -
Chancellorsville
This battle was Lee's greatest victory, but his greatest asset "Stonewall" Jackson was killed during battle. The battle lasted from April 30 - May 6, 1863. -
Turning Things Around
The battle at Gettysburg (July 1 - 3, 1863) was the turning point for the Union. The confederacy lost almost 50,000 soldiers during the battle. -
The Gettysburg Address
President Abraham Lincoln delivered a speech at the National Cemetery of Gettysburg after one of the bloodiest battles of the war. -
Slavery Abolished
The 13th Amendment was created after the war that freed all the slaves. -
The Surrender
Lee surrenders at Appomattox Court House ending the war. -
Assassination of Lincoln
Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre while seeing Our American Cousin. -
14th Amendment
This amendment made everyone born in the United States citizens -
Grant in office
General Ulysses S. Grant is elected president of the United States -
Racial Tensions
The Jim Crow Laws (Black Codes) were limiting all the past slaves from living a productive life. Racist groups like the Klu Klux Klan also emerged and were known to terrorize black people. The Freedman's Bureau was also started to help former slaves get on their feet. -
Black Suffrage
The 15th amendment is passed allowing black males the right to vote.
