-
Period: to
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was a vast network that helped slaves escape to Canada. With John Fairfield, Levi Coffin, and Harriet Tubman as notable members, Between 1810 and and 1850 the South is estimated to have lost 100,000 slaves. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2944.html -
Invention of the Cotton Gin
The cotton gin was invented by Eli Whitney in 1793. The invention made it easier to separate cotton. This caused a surge for slaves in the south. -
Missouri Compromise
Congress passed the Missouri Compromise to defuse the issue of Missouri entering the union. The compromise evenly distributed the number of number of slave and non-slave states in the Union. Maine split off of Massachusetts and became a non-slave state; while Missouri entered as a slave state. -
Period: to
Tariff of 1828 & Nullification Crisis
The Tariff of 1828 was designed to protect industry in the North. It caused the South to ave to pay a tremendous amount more on imported goods, and it hurt the exporting of cotton. In response to the tariffs, South Carolina called them unconstitutional and nullified them. A deal was later brokered to slowly lower the tariffs overtime. https://www.britannica.com/topic/nullification-crisis -
The Liberator is Published
The Liberator was a weekly newspaper published by William Lloyd Garrison, in Boston. In 1831 Garrison published the first edition of the anti-slavery paper. The Liberator was the most influential anti-slavery periodical, pre-Civil War. https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Liberator-American-newspaper -
Nat Turner's Rebellion
Turner, after seeing an eclipse, believed it was a sign to rise up. Nat and six other slaves killed the Travis family, and then secured arms and horses. After they enlisted about another 75 preceded to kill 51 white people. http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/nat-turner -
Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso was purposed by Pennsylvania Congressman David Wilmot, to ban slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico. It was however, shut down in the Southern-dominated senate. Even though it was shot down, it created a greater rift in the subject of slavery. http://www.history.com/topics/wilmot-proviso -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise consisted of five laws that dealt with slavery of new states. The need for these laws first began when California wanted to enter the Union as a free state, thus upsetting the balance between slave and non-slave states. California did enter as a free state, but the slave trade in D.C. and the Fugitive Slave Law Amendment was abolished. https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Compromise1850.html -
Uncle Tom's Cabin is Published
Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom's Cabin was published in 1852. The anti-slavery novel sold 300,000 copies within 3 months. She wrote the book in reaction to recently stricter fugitive slave laws. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/uncle-toms-cabin-is-published -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The act allowed Kansas and Nebraska to decide whether or not they wanted to allow slavery within their borders. This act repealed the Compromise of 1820 that did not allow slavery above the 36°30' latitude. Kansas would allow slavery within their borders, violating the Missouri Compromise. http://www.ushistory.org/us/31a.asp -
Period: to
'Bleeding Kansas'
After the Kansas-Nebraska Act, violence erupted between pro-slave and anti-slave citizens. Rival governments were even established in Kansas. Anti-slavery armies were actually fighting pro-slavery armies. Massacres were common in newspaper headlines. http://www.history.com/topics/bleeding-kansas -
Brooks-Sumner Event
On May 22, 1856 a senator from South Carolina attacked a senator from Massachusetts, with a cane. Sumner's physical and psychological injuries kept him away from the Senate for several years. The senate could not get enough votes to expel Brooks from the Senate, so he was only fined $300. http://www.ushistory.org/us/31e.asp -
Dred Scott Decision
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Dred Scott, who resided in a free state was not free. They stated that Africans were not, and never could be citizens of the U.S. Also that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional. https://www.britannica.com/event/Dred-Scott-decision -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
The Lincoln-Douglas debates were a series of seven debates for a senate seat from Illinois. Although Illinois was a free state the main issue debated was slavery. The popularity of Douglas brought the debate to national attention. http://www.history.com/topics/lincoln-douglas-debates -
John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry
Abolitionist John Brown led a small group to raid an armory to start an armed slave revolt. By the next morning they were surrounded by Marines led by Colonel Robert E. Lee. On December 2, John Brown was hanged. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/john-browns-raid-on-harpers-ferry -
Election Of 1860
In the election of 1860, Republican Abraham Lincoln defeated Democrat John C. Breckinridge, Democrat Stephen A. Douglas, and Constitutional Union candidate John Bell.Lincoln acquired 180 electoral vote with Breckinridge, the closest behind, with only 72. Lincoln only got 40% of the popular vote. https://www.britannica.com/event/United-States-presidential-election-of-1860#toc300765 -
Secession of Southern States
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas were the first to secede from the Union. After Fort Sumter, Arkansas, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia then seceded from the Union. Jefferson Davis was elected their president. http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/confederate-states-of-america -
Fort Sumter is Fired Upon
After the Confederation was formed the Union was supposed to withdraw all military forces and equipment from the Southern States. Instead of doing this, Lincoln decided to send supplies to Fort Sumter. After talks failed Confederate guns opened fire.
