Events leading to the Civil War

Missouri Compromise

Mar 17, 1820

Missouri sought admission to the Union as a slave-state, in 1818. After 2 years of debating, they agreed of the Missouri Compromise. Missouri was admitted as a slave-state, and Maine was admitted as a free state to maintain balance in the Senate. The compromise prohibited slavery north of latitude 36' 30' in the Louisiana Purchase territory, with the exception of Missouri and allowed in south of that line.

Tariff of 1828

Mar 17, 1828

Also known as the "Tariff of Abominations," the tariff earned thsi nickname because it made foregin products expensive of people to buy, especially if they did not have industry in their region producing similar items. This was the case in the South, which mainly prduced raw materials. The tariff also meant less money wnet to foreign counties, which then boughgt fewer raw materials, such as cotton, from the South.

Nat Turner's Rebellion

Mar 18, 1831

Nat Turner, a slave, along with about 60 other slaves led to a vilolent rebellion that resulted in the death of more that 50 Virginians. Nat and many others were executed for their pare, or suspected part, in the revolt. Nat Turner's Rebellion struck long-term fear in the hearts of slave owners, which caused them to place new restrictions on slaves and prompted a national debate on the slavery question.

The Tariff of 1832

Mar 18, 1832

Also known as the Comprmise tariff, the Tariff of 1832 was passed by Congress in an attemot to appease the South after the Tariff of 1828. Usatisfied, John C. Calhoun resigned from the vice presidency and South Carolina issues an Ordinance of Nullification, which delcared that both tariffs unconstitutional and would not be honored within the sovereign state of South Carolina. President Andrew Jackson issues his Proclamation Regarding Nullifiction, exp

Compromise of 1850

Mar 19, 1850

Disagreements erupted over whether land acquired form mexico after the Mexcian-American War would become slave or free states. The compromise admitted California as a free state. and the inhabitants of the territories of New Mexico, Neada, Arizona, and Utah would be allowed to decide whether or not to to promit slavery in their territorut when they applied for statehood. The compromise included the Fugitive Salve Act, which denied captured black legal power to prove their freedom and required U

Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin

Mar 19, 1852

Published in response to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, it sold 2 million copies worldwide within 2 years of being published. After the Bible, Uncle Tom's cabin was the highest selling bokok of the 19th contury. President Lincoln read Uncle Tom's Cobin befire announcing the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, and when he met Stowe, he emclaimed, "So this is the little woman who started this great war!"

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Mar 18, 1854

Thsi act repealed the Missouri Compromise, which said that states north of the latitude 36* 30' would be free states. This alloed settlers in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide whether they would allow slavery within their borders when they applied for statehood. The Kansas-Nebraska Act split the Democraitc Party and virtually destored the Whig Party. The northern Whigs joined the antislavery Democrats to form the Repunlican Party.

"Bleeding Kansas"

Mar 18, 1856

Disagreements over whether slavery should be allowes in Kansas led to violence among settlers.

Dred Scott Decision

Mar 18, 1857

Dred Scott, a slave, sued for his freedom on the grounds that since his master had taken him to live in free territories, he should be free. The controversial decision of the U.S Sumpreme Court stated that no slave or descendant of a lsave could be a U.S citizen. As a non-citizen and a slave viewed as property, The Court also ruled the Congress had no power to exclude slavery from the territories; therefor, the Missouri Compromise and other legislation limiting slavery were unconnstitutional.

Lincoln- Douglas Debates

Mar 18, 1858

These debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, sponsor of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, were primarily over the issue of slavery. The debates forged Lincoln into a prominent national figure and solidified his Republican Party's antislavery platform.

John Brown's Raid

Mar 19, 1859

Jogn Brown and 22 other men raided the town of Harpers Ferry, Virginia, hoping to arm and free slaves. Brown and his raiders captured many of the town;s most important citizens and held them hostage. Within 24 hours, Brown was captured and convicted of treason, murder, and conspiracy to incite slave rebellion. he was hanged that December.