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Missouri Compromise of 1820
The Missouri Compromise was one of the main events that started up the conversation about abolishing slavery. The Missouri Compromise started when Missouri wanted to join the Union as a slave state. By having Missouri join the Union there would be one more slave state than free state. People thought it would be unfair so the congress settled by also adding Maine to the Union as a free state in addition to Missouri the new slave state. It was a compromise, hence the name Missouri Compromise. -
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Conflicts leading up to the Civil War
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Abolitionist Movement
The abolitionist movement arose in 1830. Many Northerners were abolitionists and were against the ideals of slavery. Abolitionists wanted to free slaves. Well known abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison started to inform other northerners about the wrongs to slavery. He informed people with his abolitionist newspaper "The Liberator". -
Nat Turner's Rebellion
Nat Turner's Rebellion was a slave rebellion led by Virginian, educated slave /preacher Nat Turner. Turner convinced 75 slaves to revolt against white slave owners. This resulted in the death of 60 white people in Southhampton, VA. 200 slaves were beaten by angry mobs and white militia during the rebellion. After the rebellion Turner hid for six weeks until, he and 16 other slaves were hung in Jerusalem, VA. This made Virginia and other southern states implement harsher regulations on slavery. -
The Mexican - American War
The Mexican War started when its providence,Texas, prepared to join the American Union, which made Mexico suspend relations with the US and want to fight. President Polk tried to quickly acquire Mexico's other northern provinces. Californios are also convinced to seek independence from Mexico and join the Union. America eventually beats Mexico in the war, and American gains new territories north of the Rio Grande. The new territories start a debate in whether they should be free or slave states. -
The Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso was proposed by anti slavery Democratic congressman David Wilmot in 1846. This proposition was an amendment to the Bill created by President Polk after the Mexican War asking congress for $2,000,00 to negotiate peace and settle the boundary with Mexico. His proposition was a ban on slavery in territories of land acquired from the Mexican War. The Wilmot Proivso led to ideas such as secession of states and The Free Soil Movement/ Party. -
The Compromise of 1850
Five separate laws won by Henry Clay, Daniel Webster and Stephen A. Douglas became what is known as The Compromise of 1850. The Compromise of 1850 resolved the debates on whether the far west states were free of slave states; California would be a free state, and settlers in the Utah and New Mexico territories would vote for or against slavery (popular sovereignty). This compromise included the Fugitive Slave Act which gave federal support for slave catchers. -
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Bleeding Kansas
Bleeding Kansas was a series of violence during the settling of the Kansas territory. In 1854 the Kansas- Nebraska Act overturned the Missouri Compromise of 1820. Proslavery- Missourians and antislavery- free state settlers/ groups flooded into Kansas to try to influence the decisions on whether Kansas would be a free or slave state. Popular sovereignty would determine. -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854
The Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) voided the Missouri Compromise (1820). The Act was first started with Stephen A. Douglas' idea of the transcontinental railroad to link Chicago to California. He proposed Kansas be a slave state but then he would also need to have Nebraska, be a free state. The states could choose whether they wanted to be a free or slave state using the doctrine of popular sovereignty. This created more conflict between the North and the South. -
Dred Scott v Sandford
A supreme court case held in 1857. An African American slave Dred Scott lived in the free state/ areas where the Missouri Compromise (1820) prohibited slavery. Scott thought he should be free because he lived in a free territory. Buchanan opposed his appeal and seven out of nine justices declared Scott was still a slave. Chief Roger B. Taney declared African Americans free or enslaved, weren't citizens of the U.S. and had no right to sue in federal court. -
John Brown's Raid
John Brown, an abolitionist, led a raid with a group of 19 men against a federal armory in Harper's Ferry, Virginia. He attempted to capture firearms and supplies to distribute among the slaves, so they could help fight for his cause. Colonel Robert E. Lee and militia surrounded him and his army and captured them. Brown was tried and hung for punishment. -
Abraham Lincoln's Election
In 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected president. Lincoln was an anti-slavery supporter, which struck fear in the south. South Carolina seceded from the Union in December of 1860, six states soon followed South Carolina by seceding from the Union. -
The Battle of Fort Sumter
After Lincoln's election seven states seceded. The new seven confederate states demanded that all United States property be turned over to them including military. Lincoln didn't want to provoke the army, and he didn't want more conflict. He refused to surrender, but decided to resupply Fort Sumter and other forts. Lincoln tried to negotiate with the confederates, but on April 12, 1861 they opened fire. This was the start to Civil war between the North and South.
