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The Mexican War Ends
The U.S. ceded Western territories, which was a problem. They questioned if they would be free states or states that practiced enslavement. Which lead to Congress passing the Compromise of 1850, so states could have popular sovereignty. -
The Fugitive Slave Act Passes
This act forced any federal official that didn’t arrest a freedom seeker to pay a fine. It was passed as part of the Compromise of 1850 and the controversial part of it. It caused many North American 19th century black activists increase their efforts against enslavement. It also prompted more activity with Underground Railroad as freedom seekers went to Canada. -
'Uncle Tom's Cabin' Is Published
It was a book written by Harriet Beecher Stowe and showed how evil enslavement was. It impacted the way Northerners viewed enslavement and helped the cause of black activism -
'Bleeding Kansas' Riots Shock Northerners
Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed in 1854 allowing their territories to decide with popular sovereignty if they wanted to be free or continue with enslavement. But, in 1856 because Kansas became a hotbed of violence where pro & anti-enslavement forces fought over the its future to the point where it was nicknamed "Bleeding Kansas." -
Charles Sumner Attacked by Preston Brooks on the U.S. Senate Floor
One of the most publicized events in Bleeding Kansas as "Border Ruffians” sacked Lawrence, Kansas. A day after this Brooks attacked Sumner with a cane after Sumner had given a speech condemning pro-enslavement forces for the violence happening in Kansas. -
Dred Scott Loses His Case to Be Free
In his case he argued that he should be free because he had been held as an enslaved person while living in a free state. But, the Supreme Court ruled that his petition couldn’t be seen because he didn’t hold any property. It stated that even though he was taken by his "owner" into a free state, he was still a slave because they were considered property. It pushed the cause of black activists for the 19th century as they increased their efforts to fight against enslavement. -
Kansas Voters Reject the Lecompton Constitution
Kansas-Nebraska Act passed & Kansas was allowed to choose to be in Union as a free or slave state. The Lecompton Constitution was created in 1857 allowing Kansas to be a state practicing enslavement. Pro-enslavement forces supported by President James Buchanan attempted to push Constitution through U.S. Congress for acceptance. But there was enough opposition in 1858 for it to be sent back to Kansas for a vote. Kansas voters rejected the Constitution and became a free state. -
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates
During the summer and fall of 1858 there was debates over enslavement as Abraham Lincoln ran for a seat in Senate, held by Stephen A. Douglas in Illinois. There was 7 debates about if enslavement should be allowed to spread to new territories. Douglas was against restricting enslavement and Lincoln had persuasive arguments against it spreading. Lincoln lost 1858 Illinois senate election, but it gave him a name for national politics. -
John Brown Raids Harper's Ferry
John Brown was a dedicated activist involved in anti-enslavement violence in Kansas. He led a group of 17, to raid the arsenal in Harper's Ferry, Virginia, The goal was to start an uprising led by enslaved people using captured weapons, but, after capturing several buildings, Brown and his men were surrounded and killed or captured by Col. Robert E. Lee; troops. Brown was hanged for treason. It helped grow the black activist movement helping it lead to open warfare in 1861. -
Abraham Lincoln Is Elected President
Because he was elected 7 states seceded from the Union & some others said they would leave if he won because of his views on enslavement. He agreed with most of the Republic that the South was becoming too powerful & made it part of the party platform that enslavement wouldn’t extend to any new territories or states added to the Union.
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