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Conflicts leading up to the Civil War
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Treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo
This treaty marked the end of the Mexican War and gave the U.S. a lot of new territory. This created problems because whether or not these territories would allow slavery was a highly debated issue. -
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Bleeding Kansas
This was the name given during a period where several violent confrontation occurred between the Free-Staters and the Pro-slavery border ruffians. pro-slavers said that the government couldn't take property from the people, and that because slaves were property they should be allowed everywhere. Several conflicts took place as a result. The name was coined by an editor of the New York Tribune who realized that a negotiation would be nearly impossible to achieve. This was debated until the War. -
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Wakarusa War
This mini-war was started when Free-Stater Charles Dow was shot by a pro-slavery settler. Violent reprisals erupted and Sheriff Samuel Jones laid siege to Lawrence, Kansas. John Brown set up defenses , and no attack was made thereafter. A peace treaty would settle the disorder. -
The Caning of Charles Sumner
During "Bleeding Kansas Senator Charles Sumner rejected the Kansas-Nebrasla Act and insulted Senator Andrew Butler. Butler's nephew, Represenataive Preston Brooks, confronted Sumner two days later and proceeded to beat him with his cane on the senate chamber floor. -
Marais de Cygnus Massacre
This was considered the last major act of violence before the beginning of the Civil War. Charles Hamilton, a pro-slavery leader, led 30 men to Trading Post Kansas where they captured 11 Free-Staters . These prisoners were led into a defile and were then shot at. Hamilton shot the first one himself. 5 men died and then Hamilton's men moved on. Only one man was ever punished for his actions. -
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Raid on Harper's Ferry
This was an attempt by John Brown to lead a fully-armed slave revolt. He led 20 men to try to capture an arsenal at Harper's Ferry. He and his men were stopped by a detachment of U.S. Marines led by Robert E. Lee. Brown was killed after the building he was barricaded in was stormed. -
The Battle of Fort Sumter
On April 12th the Confederates bombarded Fort Sumter in S.C. in reaction to the Union refusing to remove its troops from the South. This is considered the 1st Battle of the Civil War. -
Battle of Osawatomie
John Reid and Marvin White led 250-300 border ruffians to attack the town of Osawatomie. John Brown had men defending for a while, but they had to withdraw in the end. The ruffians then pillaged and burned the town.