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Underground Railroad
The Underground RailroadAbolitionists began to help slaves escape by use of the underground railroad system. "Conducters" sheltered runaway slaves until they reached safter in the North. -
Mexican-American War
Mexican-American WarIt began with Mexicans allowing Americans to settle in their land. Soon after, the settlers wanted to claim the territory. The Mexicans and the Americans fought a territorial battle with America winning their territory, area from now Texas to California. This is significant because it added a lot of new territory and made America a continental power. -
Wilmot Proviso
Wilmot ProvisoDavid Wilmot, representative of Pennsylvania, proposed that the terriotry gained from Mexico should be slave free. This was passed by the House of Representatives, but the Senate refused to vote on it. This is significant because it was one of the first steps taking to abolish slavery from new territories. -
Compromise of 1850
Compromise of 1850This was a group of 5 laws that dealt with slavery. It amended the Fugitive Slave Act, entered California as a free state, aboloshied slave trade in Washington D.C., a territorial government was created in Utah, and the American-Mexican border was settled. This is significant because these laws dealing with slavery angered many people into a state of war. -
Fugitive Slave Act
Fugitive Slave ActThis act was part of the Compromise of 1850, with the Northern and Southern states meeting a medium. The North gained the decision that California would be made a free state and slave trading would be prohibited in the District of Columbia. The South gained concessions with regard to slaveholding in Texas (nationalcenter.org). This is significant because it played a major role in the start of the role because a lot of people were angered. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's CabinUncle Tom's Cabin is a fictional story written by Harriet Beecher Stove in 1851 about the negative effects of slavery. Southerners were outraged and tried to rebel against the book, but regardless, it sold millions of copies. This is significant because it forever changed the way Americans viewed slavery. -
Bleeding Kansas
Bleeding KansasNortheners marched into Kansas because they were upset about Kansas beiny March 1856, Kansas was split into pro slavery and anti slavery governments. "Bleeding Kansas" became the scene of a territorial civil war. By the end of 1856, 200 people had died. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
[http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/kansas.html](Kansas-Nebraska Act)This act disallowed slavery in the area north of 36,30 latitude and stated that the issues with slavery would be decided by the state itself. This is significant because it is initially what caused Bleeding Kansas. -
Ostend Manifesto
Ostend ManifestoAfter the capture of those on the Black Warrior by the Spanish, America was split into waging and not waging war. A meeting was held in Ostend, Belgium stating that America would buy Cuba from the Spain. This is significant because America gained more territory. -
The Caning of Charles Sumner
The Caning of Charles SumnerSenator Charles Sumner delievered a speech accusing pro-slavery senators of forcing Kansas into the ranks of slave states. Senator Andrew P. Butler had been personally attacked and his cousin beat Sumner with a cane. This is significant because it is when slavery became involved with the center of the government. -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred ScottDred Scott, a slave, had been working in free territory. When he had returned to his slaveholder in the south, he sued for freedom because living in free territory made him a free man. The Supreme Court ruled against him and angered the republicans. This is significant because it started the idea that slaves weren't just property, but people. -
John Brown's Raid
John BrownBrown abducted and murdered five pro-slavery settlers. Brown developed a plan to "gain" slaves throughout his journey of raiding. Brown and about 18 followers attacked the arsenal, but was captured soon after and put to death.
