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Wilmot Proviso
A proposal that Congress ban slavery in all territory that become property of the U.S. after the Mexican-American War. -
Compromise of 1850
A compromise that would hopefully end issues between north and south states, formed by Henry Clay of Kentucky. -
"Uncle Tom's Cabin" is first published
A book published by Harriet Beecher Stowe, which covered the subject of slavery, and caused lots of controversy between north and south. -
Kansas - Nebraska Act
An act pushed by Stephen Douglas in an attempt to develop lands west of his home state of Illinois. In an attempt to make southerners support the formation of the new territories, which were north of the line formed from the Missouri Compromise, he made it so that the decision of slavery within those territories would be decided by popular sovereignty, and this decision led to lots of fighting between proslavery and antislavery people. -
John Brown's Massacre at Pottawatomie Creek
A massacre organized by John Brown in which 5 random proslavery men were killed. -
Dred Scott Decision
A decision made by the Supreme Court about a slave named Dred Scott, who sued for his freedom, as he had lived in territory where slavery was illegal. The Chief Justice wrote the decision for the court, stating that African Americans weren’t citizens, so they couldn’t sue, and that slaves were property, and property rights were protected by the U.S. Constitution. The decision had a largely divided reaction from the north and south. -
Lincoln - Douglas Debate "A House Divided Against itself can not stand."
A speech from Abraham Lincoln talking about how the nation wouldn’t be united unless one belief or the other died, referring to slavery vs. no slavery. -
John Brown's Raid at Harpers Ferry, Virginia
A raid by John Brown in an attempt to raise an army and free slaves of the south. -
South Carolina Secedes from the Union
After news of Lincoln’s election reached South Carolina, a special convention was called to order, and the decision in the convention was that South Carolina would be dissolved from the Union. -
Confederate States of America are Formed
Leaders from the seven seceded states met and formed the Confederate States of America. -
Abraham Lincoln is elected as a Republican President
Abraham Lincoln becomes President of nation greatly divided, and on the brink of going to war with itself. -
Confederate Troops Fire at Fort Sumter, South Carolina
An attempt by the Confederate Army to get the commander at Fort Sumter to surrender, as they had been starving the troops for months with still no signs of surrender. This attempt succeeded, and marked the beginning of the Civil War.
