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Wilmot Proviso
Representative David Wilmot introduced the Wilmot Proviso, which would ban slavery in all former Mexican territories (such as the Mexican Cession). The impact of this event was lots of controversy from Southerners, and both sides practiced sectionalism. -
Compromise of 1850
California applied to become a free state in 1849, and many southerners were upset since it would hurt the balance of free states and slave states in Congress. Henry Clay said this was fine, but other new territories would have to be slave territories. The impact of this was a lot of controversy which caused the Compromise of 1850. -
Fugitive Slave Act
This was a part of the Compromise of 1850, and stated that if slaves escaped to the North, then they would have to return to the South. Anyone who assisted them was punishable by law. This mainly impacted the Underground Railroad since many slaves weren't free in the North anymore. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin was a book about the life of a slave written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. This book was really popular, and has never gone out of print. The impact of this book was that it convinced many people to support abolition. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Federal Government didn't want to become involved in slavery debates, so they allowed states to choose whether or not to become slave states. This raised controversy because it violated the Missouri Compromise. It impacted America because African Americans, even if they were free, faced discrimination and unfairness. -
"Bleeding Kansas"
Kansas established laws supporting slavery, and Abolitionists refused to accept these laws. This caused wars between the two sides, and the Federal government was forced to step in to halt the bloodshed. North and South relations became more tense as an impact of this incident. -
Dred Scott Case
Dred Scott was enslaved in a free state, then moved back to a slave state. His owner died, and then Dred Scott claimed he was free because he lived in a free state. However, in the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Roger Taney ruled that African Americans could not sue since they were not citizens. This impacted rights of African Americans in negative ways. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
Lincoln-Douglas Debates were a series of debates about slavery. Lincoln tended to support abolition over slavery, and Douglas was in between, costing him support in the South. The impact was the outcome of the election, since this is how America picked their candidates. -
Harper's Ferry
Abolitionist John Brown led a raid in Harpers Ferry, VA. He wanted to acquire federal weapons to arm enslaved African Americans. This impacted the South since they felt threatened by Republicans. -
Election of 1860
This was a key election since the Southern states were on the brink of secession. When Abraham Lincoln won, the Southern States seceded from the Union. This caused the Civil War, the bloodiest war in American History. -
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter was the first battle of the Civil War, and the Confederate Army took the Union by surprise. The day after Lincoln took office, The Union general sent a message to Lincoln saying that they had to surrender. The impact of this was that the South won, and many more battles of the Civil War to come.
