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Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
The Kentucky and Virginia Resoultions argued that states had a right and duty to declare any unconstitutional acts of Congress that weren't authorized by the Constitution. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_and_Virginia_Resolutions -
Hartford Convention Meets during War of 1812
During the ongoing war of 1812 federalists got together and discussed solutions, they discussed removing the Three Fifths Compromise and their grievences with the Lousiana Purchase and the Embargo of 1807. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hartford_Convention -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise brought Missouri into the union as a slave state and Maine in as a free state. It also set the boundary for slavery in the Louisiana Territory as the 36° 30´ line. All states above the line were free and all below were slave. http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Missouri.html -
Tariffs of Abominations passed
Passed by Congress to protect industry in the north. It was labled an abomination by the southerners because it hurt the south's economy. The south had to pay more money on the products that they didn't produce. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tariff_of_1828 -
South Carolina Tries to nullify
federal governments only existed at the will of the states. If a state found a law unconstitutional to its soverign interests, it had the right to nullify it within its borders. This is how South carolina tried to nullify. http://www.ushistory.org/us/24c.asp -
Aboltion of Slavery Act (1833)
The Abolition of Slavery Act was passed by Parliament in England, abolishing slavery throughout most of the British Empire. This act gave slaves in the British Empire their freedom. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_Abolition_Act_1833 -
Texas Declares Independence from Mexico
This issue was a large dispute between the U.S. and Mexico. Mexican president, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, saw U.S citizens settling in Texas. To prevent this, Santa Anna abolished slavery and enforced new laws on the US citizens. In response they declared their independence. http://www.tshaonline.org/day-by-day/30565 -
James Polk Elected
James Polk's main goal was to expand the United States westward. This would help increase the nation's economy. He beat Henry Clay in the election after he was expected to lose the race. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1844 -
Mexican War
Armed war between the U.S. and Mexico over the Texas territory. Mexico considered Texas a part of their country even though Texas had revolted to break loose from them. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MexicanâAmerican_War -
Wilmot Proviso
This proposal brought forward by Pennsylvania Congressman David Wilmot stated that none of the Mexican aquired territory would be allowed have slavery. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilmot_Proviso -
California enters the Union
California was directly admitted to the Union from the Mexican Cession. They then successfully entered the union. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_date_of_statehood -
Fugitive Slave Law enacted
This law, passed by Congress, stated that everyone in the country had to return run away slaves back to their owners. This contoversial event intesified fear in the North for Slave Power conspiracy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugitive_Slave_Act_of_1850 -
Publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin
The novel Uncle Tom's Cabin was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe and was a significant force in fighting against slavery. While visiting Kentucky, a slave state, she discovered evidence of the condition of slaves. http://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/Uncle-Tom-s-Cabin-Historic-Site/Home.aspx -
Formation of Republican party
This political party began in 1854 to oppose the kansas nebraska act that wanted to expand slavery. It would have expanded slavery in to free states causing a whole fuss. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_United_States_Republican_Party -
Kansas-Nebraska Act passed
The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed people in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether or not to allow slavery within their borders. It also repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820 which prohibited slavery north of latitude 36°30´. http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112391/kansas-nebraska_act.htm -
Charles Sumner attacked
After Senator Charles Sumner made a speech that was very insulting, he was brutally beaten at his desk by Represenative Preston Brooks who was later praised by the South for his actions. http://www.capitol.gov/html/VGN_2010061462876.html -
"Border Ruffians" attack Lawrence
The Border Ruffian pro-slavery group wanted Kansas to be admitted into the Union as a free state. More than 800 men from Kansas and Missouri rode to Lawrence and arrested members of the free state government. They burned and looted and liked it. http://www.ushistory.org/us/31c.asp -
Pottawatomie Creek
The Pottawatamie Creek Massacre was led by John Brown, an anti-slavery man who wanted vengence. He believed that the people involved in the border ruffian attack should face death. At the end of the night, five victims were brutally beaten and killed. -
Pottawatomie Creek
Under cover of darkness, John Brown, a Northerner with strong views about anti-slavery, and his four sons and son-in-law travelled down to Pottawatomie Creek in Franklin County, where pro-slavery settlers were staying. The six men murdered these pro-slavery men. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pottawatomie_Massacre -
Dred Scott Decision Announced
Dred Scott, a slave who was brought to several free northern states by his slaveholders, sued his master for his freedom. His agreement was that he was no longer a slave when he legally lived in a free state. His case was taken and eventually brought to federal court. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4h2933.html -
Lecompton Constitution Passed
A pro-slavery document created to decide Kansas’s position of a slavery or non-slavery state, the Lecompton Constitution claimed to concretely decide just that. The constitution essentially made slavery legal in Kansas, banned free black men from living in the state, and allowed only men to vote. http://www.legendsofkansas.com/constitutionalconventions2.html -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
The Lincoln-Douglas debates were a series of debates between Lincoln, Republic canidate, and Douglas, Democrate canidate. They both were trying to win control over the Illinois legislature. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln -
Raid at Harper's Ferry
The Raid at Harper's Ferry was an attempt by abolitionist John Brown to start an armed slave revolt by seizing the U.S Arsenal at Harpers Ferry in Virginia. This raid was defeated by a detachment of U.S Marines. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Brown's_raid_on_Harpers_Ferry -
Democrats Split in 1860
The Democrats of the 1860 election split in to two groups. The Southern deomcrats wanted canidate Douglas to support slavery, but if he did, the Northern democrats would vote Republican. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/In_1860_the_Democratic_Party_split_into_two_factions_on_the_issue_of -
Formation of the Constitutional Union Party
The Constitutional Union Party consisted mostly of former Whigs, members of the Know-Nothings and other groups in the South. Twenty state delegates attended the convention in Baltimore, Maryland, and nominated John Bell for President. The party’s goal was to disregard sectional slave issues and focus on following the Constitution. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_Union_Party_(United_States) -
Election of 1860
The four most popular and well-known candidates for the 1860 election were Stephen Douglas from Illinois, John C. Breckinridge from Kentucky, John Bell from Tennessee, and Abraham Lincoln, also from Illinois. Lincoln, a republican and former lawyer, won the election. http://www.tulane.edu/~latner/Background/BackgroundElection.html
