Events Leading Up to the American Civil War

By abourgeo8762

  • Mexican War Ended

    The end of this war opened up the decision of whether to make these new states free or slave states. In the end, California was made a free state and the people of Utah and New Mexico could choose which way to go (popular sovereignty). This was known as the Compromise of 1850. Even though an agreement was made, this caused tension between the northern and southern states.

  • Fugitive Slave Act

    This act forced runaway slaves caught in the north to be returned to their masters. If an official didn't arrest a runaway slave, they had to pay a fine.

  • Uncle Tom's Cabin Released

    This popular, but controversial book greatly influenced northerners' view of slavery. Abraham Lincoln recognized this book as one of the causes of the outbreak of civil war.

  • Kansas-Nebraska Act

    This act allowed Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether they wanted to be a pro or anti-slavery state. This was called popular sovereignty. This began a mini civil war in these two territories because each group wanted to control their state's future. This relatively small war played a part in leading up to a much bigger Civil War which was caused by much of the same reasons.

  • Charles Sumner Attacked by Preston Brooks

    Pro-slavery Congressman Brooks violently attacked anti-slavery Congressman Sumner with his cane after Sumner gave a speech blaming the pro-slavery forces for the violence seen in Kansas.

  • Dred Scott vs. Sandford

    Dred Scott, a slave, lost his case that he shouldn't be a slave because he lived in a free state in Supreme Court. This decision angered northern abolitionists.

  • Lecompton Constitution Rejected

    Kansas voters rejected this constitution and became a free state instead.

  • John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry

    John Brown, an extreme abolitionist, led a group of 17 people to raid the arsenal at Harper's Ferry. Brown and his men were eventually killed by Lee's troops.

  • Abraham Lincoln Elected

    Southern states, starting with South Carolina finally decided to seceed from the Union because their views about slavery differed drastically from those of Lincoln.

  • Civil War Began

    All of these events caused greater and greater tension between the disagreeing North and South and led to the eruption of the American Civil War which lasted over four years and took the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans.