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The Missouri Compromise
In a treaty written by Henry Clay, the united states agreed in 1820 to admit the state of Missouri as a slave state. They also admitted Maine as a free state. they also declared that any state north of the 30th parallel going west from Missouri through the rest of the Louisiana purchase could not be a slave state. This treaty was used in order to balance the issue of slavery. In the end though, it would send the nation to a boiling point, leading to the civil war. -
The Wilmot Proviso
The united states agreed in 1846 in the Wilmot proviso, written by David Wilmot to ban slavery in every state and territory in the Mexican cession. This was used in order to balance the slavery issue. This also contributed to the civil war. this left the south with an opportunity for only 1 more slave state. -
The Compromise of 1850
In the compromise of 1850 written by Henry clay, the united states admitted California as a free state. They also banned the slave trade in Washington D.C. they also solved a border dispute with mexico and Texas. but most importantly, new mexico and Utah territories were allowed to vote for slavery. This was another contributing factor to the civil war. -
The fugitive slave act
Part of the compromise of 1850, clay wrote, to which the u.s agreed, to let the south recapture slaves that have escaped to the north. This applied only if they can be found by their masters, this was put in to balance out all of the things the north got. This was yet another factor leading to the civil war. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle tom’s cabin was a book written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. it described the truth about slavery to people who thought it wasn’t that bad. This book was famously quoted by Abraham
Lincoln as: “the book that started this great war”. He said this because it was viewed in the south as propaganda. It also lead to the war. -
The Kansas - Nebraska act
In 1854, congress and senator Stephen Douglas decided to allow the Kansas and Nebraska territories to vote for slavery. This was put into effect in order to balance the issue of slavery and keep the south happy. Both sides rushed into the territories to cast their vote. Because the two sides were so close, a series of riots broke out. This is another factor leading to the war. -
The Dred - Scott case
In 1856, a slaveholder and his slave, Dred Scott, went to the north. Dred believed he could become free there. when we was put into court, they said he had no rights because he was not considered a us citizen. This meant he could not become free. This is a factor leading to the civil war because northerners felt angry that he couldn’t become free. -
The Lincoln - Douglas debates
In Illinois in 1858, senators Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas got in a series of debates about topics like slavery, and how to balance out the north and south once and for all. they helped Abraham Lincoln become a better speaker for the future. Without these debates, he may not have been as good of a politician. This means he may not have been president. -
John Brown's Raid
In 1859, john brown, his sons and some slaves planned a rebellion in Harper's ferry. This was a key fortress that housed a lot of america’s weapons. They raided it in order to spark a slave rebellion. This was part of a plan to kill the south from the inside out. This is a boiling point leading to the civil war. -
Lincoln's Election of 1860
In 1860, a controversial election lead to senator Abraham Lincoln getting the most delegates. This meant he became the 16th president of the u.s. The south did not like this election because they thought it was unfair. They thought this because their votes were scattered around 3 candidates, while the north had 1. -
Southern Seccession
In December 1860, South Carolina seceded from the union, followed by 10 other states, after they felt their slavery was being oppressed, electing Jefferson Davis as their president. A u.s fort in South Carolina was then bombarded, causing war between the 2 sides. This would lead to slavery dying, and the south’s economy dying with it. In order to avoid this, they revolted. -
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The Civil War
