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Events Leading To The Civil War Timeline
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Missouri Compromise of 1820
An event in which pro-slavery and antislavery factions in congress passed a law that made Missouri a slave state and Maine a free state (Blue) Although both sides weren't too happy with the decision they were satisfied -
The Missouri Crisis
The United States had an economic depression and they couldn't keep it afloat. Debtors pushed to have hold laws put in place but there was nothing that they could do (red) Because the economy revolved around plantation work and they needed slaves to keep the plantation alive -
William Garrison Publishers The Liberator
William Garrison was an abolitionist who was not going to be silenced. He published The Liberator so his voice could be heard around the nation. He also founded the New England Anti-Slavery Society that had well-known abolitionists of New England as members. (Red) This fired up the abolitionists and wanted to end slavery once and for all. -
Nat Turner's Slave Revolt
A slave rebellion that was held in Southampton county, Virginia that had a death toll of 55 to 65 people. This was the highest number of fatalities ever caused by an uprising of slaves in the southern united states (Red) the slave in the south's eyes needed to be kept in line and letting them protest was one of those triggers for the south to begin seceding from the union. -
Annexation of Texas 1844
While the annexation of texas was happening, negotiations with Britain for the Oregon treaty were taking place and the Mexican American War was coming to an end. it ended with the treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo in 1848. the future of all the western states hung in the balance of this historical event. The United States was able to expand the territory in a huge way. (Blue) This didn't really effect the civil war but the south wanted to expand slavery out west -
The Wilmot Proviso
Fearing the addition of a new pro-slave state, Pennsylvania Congressman David Wilmot proposed his amendment to the bill. The bill was blocked in the pro-slavery majority senate but was another key in the formation of the republican party (Red) Wilmot was trying to create a turn around in slavery once and for all but wasn't able to because of the heavily represented south in the senate that shot down his proposal -
The Compromise Of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was a set of five separate bills passed by Congress in September 1850, which settled a four-year political confrontation between slave and free states regarding the status of territories found during the Mexican–American War . (Blue) This calmed the waters of possible succession from the union by setting with each other on separate deals -
Fugitive Slave Law
this act was one of the group in the compromise of 1850 that stated any escaped slaves should be captured and taken back to their owners immediately. This included free states and the officials and citizens who lived within the borders of these states. ( Red ) the south was happy with this because the slaves that they owned were returned to them and the free state leaders also had to comply with the law as well whether they liked it or not. -
Publication Of Uncle Tom's Cabin
Written as a protest against slavery, Uncle Tom's Cabin was a very gruesome depiction of slavery. The is one of the major pushes to start the Civil War ( Red ) this showed the anti-slavery followers the details that happen in the daily life of a slave. the union was pushed to its limits of toleration of slavery -
Underground Railroad
The underground railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses to help slaves escape to free states and Canada with the help of abolitionists (Red) this just put the slaves at risk of being caught and being returned to their masters. -
Formation of The Republican Party 1854
Anti-Slavery whigs met to form a new party that suited them. They met in Wisconsin for their first meeting. (Blue) This was just a group of people that saw a need for another political party that was based on their beliefs. Little did they know it would be one of the biggest parties to present day -
Kansas - Nebraska Act
This Act allowed the people of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery or not into their borders. This act repealed the Missouri compromise in saying that slavery is not allowed above the Mason-Dixon Line (Red) this positive movement of slavery for the south up north was a good thing for southerners moving north for more fertile soil -
Bleeding Kansas
A series of confrontations and violent protests on the borders of Kansas between anti and pro-slavery believers (Red) this event showed people that different ideas of what the law should be can get out of hand a good example of this is the portland protests about Trump being elected. The people protest even though they can't change the outcome -
Dredd Scott Supreme Court Decision
Dredd Scott Was a Free slave living in a free state but was not given his freedoms by the court (7-2). This Is considered to be the worst ruling by the supreme court in the history of the united states (Red) this was the defining moment of whether free slaves who lived in free states were given their liberties just as the rest of the citizens of the united states but they weren't because they weren't considered citizens -
Lincoln Douglas Debates
A series of seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. The issues they talked about were not only of critical importance to the sectional conflict over slavery and states’ rights but also touched deeper questions that would cause political tension. (Red) People who were on the fence about slavery made up their minds in these debates that took place -
John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry
Brown, an abolitionist, and his men captured citizens and seized the federal armory and arsenal. He wanted the local slaves to join him in his raid. The militia commanded by general Robert E. Lee stormed the armory killing many and captured brown. Brown was put on trial and was sentenced to death for his crimes. On December 2nd. 1859, he was hanged (Red) this was a chance for slaves to protest their own slavery and they look the opportunity that was given to them -
Election Of 1860
The election of 1860 was key because the republican Abraham lincoln who was against slavery won the election and the presidency. This upset the south because they wanted to keep slavery in the states but this pushed them to the brink of succession from the United States. (Red) the south didn't want Abraham to take office because he was absolutely against slavery and would do anything to put a stop to it even if that meant parting with whole states.
