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Cotton Gin Invented
Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin on March 14, 1794. This invention created a demand for more cotton because of the speed in which it can become processed. THe increased demand for more cotton led to a demand for more slaves. more cotton and more slaves meant a need for more land. Where this land was to come from created a heated conflict in American history. -
Missouri Compromise
This compromise was introduced when Missouri wanted to be admitted as a state. This addition would throw the balance of power in Congress between slave states and free states. It was decided that Missouri would enter as a slave state. Maine would enter as a free state. Slavery then would not be allowed above the 36-30 parallel. -
Wilmont Proviso
David Wilmont wanted to issue a bill that would ban slavery in any territory aquired from Mexico. This bill did pass the House but failed to pass the Senate. The Wilmont Proviso create sectionalism amongst the north and south. Northerners felt that they had a moral obligation to oppose the spreading of slavery into new territories. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act was added as part of the Compromise of 1850. Without this provision, it was passible the south would not have supported California becoming a free state. The Fugitive slave Act gave the southern slave owners the power to reclaim slaves that may have escaped the south. Fines and prison time could be imposed to anyone helping runaway slaves. Each captured slave would fetch a reward of 10 dollars. A runaway slave was not allowed to testify at their trial. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 consisted of 5 bills to deal with the issue of slavery and to keep the north and south happy. The bill stated the following. (1) California woud enter as a free state. (2) New Mexico and Utah would use popular sovereignty to decide the issue of slavery. (3) The Republic of Texas would give up lands that it claimed in present day New Mexico and received $10 million to pay its debt to Mexico. (4) Slave trade would end in Washingto D.C. (5) Fugitive Slave Law -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Was a book written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. This book highlighted the injustice of slavery. It fueled the abolitionist cause by selling over 300,000 copies. Abraham Lincoln had said "So this is the little lady that started a great war." -
Kansas Nebraska Act
Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act on May 30th, 1854. This act negated the Missouri Compromise which outlawed slavery above the 36 degree parallel. People of the North were angry about this new act as there was now a possibility that slavery could expand north. This South supported it as it was an opportunity to spread slavery. The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed people to vote on the issue of slavery. This led northerners and southerners to the area to place their vote. . -
Dredd Scott Decision
Dredd Scott, a slave, was purchased by a citizen of Missouri. In this time, he was taken to several free states. When his master died, Scott sued for his freedom. Scott claimed his time on free soil made him free. State courts disagreed. The case made it to the Supreme Court. Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, ruled against Scott. He said Scott couldn't sue because only citizens were allowed to sue and Scott was property. -
Lincoln elected president
Lincoln was elected president on November 6, 1860 and took office in 1861. It was in 1861 that Kansas became a free state and the Civil War began. Lincoln was not a supporter of slavery but believed keeping the country together was a greater good. He was willing to tolerate slavery where it existed but did not want it expanded. Southerners felt Lincoln's as president was a threat to their system of slavery. -
Kansas becomes a state
After bloody conflict between free-soilers and pro-slavery supporters, Kansas became a free state on January 29, 1861. The addition of Kansas as a free state upset the balance of power in Congress giving more power to those against slavery. Thie Civil War started shortly after. -
Civil War Begins
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Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln disliked slavery but didn't want to use this as a basis of the Civil War. He knew it would not be supported by northerers or those in the boarder states. As slaves started fleeing the south to join the northern war effort, Lincoln realized he could use this as a strategy in fighting the war. On January 21, 1863 he issued the Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves of the south. Even though he didn't have the authority as the south was now an independent country.
