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The Compromise of 1850 including the Fugitive Slave Act
The compromise of 1850 required all states including free states to assist in returning a capturing run away stages to their owners.
This led to the Civil War because it increased tensions between the North and South over the issue of slavery. California wants to move in as a free state. Important people:Clay, Daniel Webster, Senator from Massachusetts, and John C. Calhoun, senator from South Carolina. -
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Bleeding Kansas
Bleeding Kansas was a serious of violent civil confrontations in Kansas territory and a little bit in Western Missouri.
Bleeding Kansa led to the Civil War because the vote over the status of new territory caused both opponents and supporters of slavery to descend upon the region to sway the decision. Important people: John Brown of Leavenworth. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 was a bill that created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, and repealed the Missouri Compromise. Popular sovereignty says that “Let the people choose” over the issue of slavery.
This contributed to the Civil War because the bill raised the possibility that slavery could be extended into territories where it had once been bad. Important people: Democratic Senator Stephen A. Douglas. -
Preston Brooks vs Charles Summer 1856
The Preston Brooks vs Charles Summer occurred when representative Preston Brooks of South Carolina beat Senator Charles Summer of Massachusetts with a cane in the U.S Senate chamber until he was unconscious and bleeding.
This led to the Civil War because it showed the extreme elements from both the North and South to resort to violence, pushing he nation closer to armed conflict. Important people: Preston Brooks, Charles Summer. -
Dred Scott v. Sandford
The Dred Scott v. Sandford was the U.S. Supreme Court stated that enslaved people were not citizens of the United States and, therefore, could not expect any protection from the federal government or the courts.
This led to the civil war by the division between North and South over slavery grew and culminated in the secession of southern states from the Union and the creation of the Confederate States of America.
Important people: Montgomery Blair and George Ticknor Curtis -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
The Lincoln–Douglas debates were a series of seven debates in 1858 between Abraham Lincoln, the Republican Party candidate for the United States Senate from Illinois, and incumbent Senator Stephen Douglas, the Democratic Party candidate.
This led to the civil war because Douglas’ Democratic Party continued to split over the issue of slavery’s extension. Douglas succeeded in winning the Democratic nomination in 1860.
Important people: Stephen A. Douglas, Abraham Lincoln -
John Browns Raid on Harpers Ferry
The John Browns Raid on Harper’s Ferry was when Brown and his men captured prominent citizens and seized the federal armory and arsenal.
This lead to an increased distrust between the North and South and accelerating the approach towards war. Important people: Stonewall Jackson, Jeb Stuart, and Colonel Robert E. Lee. -
Election of Abraham Lincoln
The Election of Abraham Lincoln was an American presidential election held on November 6, 1860, in which Republican Abraham Lincoln defeated Southern Democrat John C. Breckinridge, Democrat Stephen A. Douglas, and Constitutional Union candidate John Bell.
This led to the Civil War by Abraham Lincoln, the Republican candidate, won because the Democratic party in the South was split over slavery.
Important people: Abraham Lincoln