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Wilmot Proviso
An American Law proposed by David Wilmot, proposing to ban slavery in the territory acquired by the U.S. due to the Mexican War. Several attempts took place, all of which failed. This continued till The Compromise of 1850. The controversial law and many other issues where the ones that LED TO the Compromise of 1850, which provided somewhat a sense of peace between those who opposed and those who stood for slavery. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was a group of 5 laws passed to help with the issue of slavery in states. California entered as a free state, New Mexico and Utah became their own territory where they would decide the outcome of slavery in their states by popular vote, Texas and Mexico border settled, and helping the Southerners recover their fugitive slaves. The Compromise helped Congress avoid sectional and slavery issues for a couple of years. -
Fugitive Slave Act
A very controversial act as part of the Compromise of 1850, which required all runaway slaves, upon capture, be returned to their masters, and required officials and citizens in free states to cooperate, (Nicknamed the "Bloodhound Law" after the dogs used to chase down fugitive slaves). This act angered many people who opposed slavery as they were being forced to enforce slavery. Many chose to deny the law, as it was unjust. Led to many spreading more and more insights on the wrongs of slavery. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
An anti-slavery novel, written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. A book describing the horrifying and unfair lives of the slaves, as a reaction to the Fugitive Slave Laws. The book had a major influence on the way many Americans viewed slavery, and helped making slavery less popular. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The act allowed people in the Kansas and Nebraska territory to decide whether to allow or not allow slavery. The act caused an immediate problem, as if Kansas were to enter as a slave state, then it would ruin the Missouri Compromise which prohibited slavery above the 36*30* parallel. This act inevitably led to 'Bleeding Kansas'. -
Bleeding Kansas
A series of violent disputes and confrontations between the pro- and anti-slavery groups. This ultimately led to the disintegration of the Union, and enforced even more difference and fire between the North and South. -
Dred Scott Case
A case filed by a slave, Dred Scott, in a file of Freedom, for him and his family. Scott and his family, by their owners, brought them from Wisconsin to Missouri, where they filed a case, reflecting of the doctrine, "Once free, always free", as they were in a free state before coming to a slave. The court ruled against them, saying the slaves had no rights in federal court etc. which led to a lot of controversy and triumph between the North and South. A very big cause leading to the Civil War. -
Lincoln-Douglass Debates
A series of 7 debates between a republican candidate, Abraham Lincoln, and a democratic candidate, Stephen Douglass, who were both competing for US senate from Illinois. In the end of the debates, due to the lack of support, Lincoln was elected president, leading to many Southern states seceding, leading to the Civil War. Although, the debates had an indirect impact, it is still counted as a strong impact towards the Civil War. -
Harpers Ferry
An assault, by a group of armed abolitionists led by John Brown, to establish a stronghold on the freed slaves in the mountains in Maryland and Virginia. The raid inflamed the fear of Southerners to the fear of other slave rebellions, this mounted the tensions between the North and the South. -
The Election of 1860
Lincoln is elected president in the election of 1860. This led to the Southerners leaving the Union as they had vowed if Lincoln was elected president. This was an absolute peak in the tension between the North and the South. -
Fort Sumter
The Confederate Army (South) fired on the Union garrison. The supply line was cut off, so the fort surrendered to the South. These were the first shots of the Civil War. THE WAR HAS BEGUN.
