Events Leading to the Civil War

Compromise of 1850

Sep 9, 1850

The Compromise of 1850 was five bills passed in the US in 1850. The compromise brought CA in as a free state.

Fugitve Slave Act

Sep 18, 1850

This act required all citzens to help catch slaves. The people who helped slaves exscape risked fines and jail.

Uncle Tom's Cabin

Mar 20, 1852

Uncle Tom's Cabin was novel written by Harriet Beacher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin was a best-seller of its time.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

May 30, 1854

Kansas-Nebraska Act created territories for Kansas and Nebraska. it also repealed the Missouri Compromise because it allowed popular soveriegnty* in the territory. *lets peole vote for slave or free state.

Dredd Scott Decision

Mar 6, 1857

This decison ruled that slaves were not citizens so they could not legally go to court. It also said that he and his famil were property and can be taken anywhere in the country and remain slaved to their owners no matter if it was a free state or slave state.

John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry

Oct 16, 1859

John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry wasn an attempt to start an armed slave revolt. He was defeated by detachment of U.S. Marines led by Col. Robert E. Lee.

Abraham Lincoln Elected President

Nov 6, 1860

Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth president. The results of this election showed that the nation was tired of compromise.

South Carolina Secedes from Union

Dec 20, 1860

South Carolina was the first to secede from the union. This secession would later form the Confederate States of America.