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U.S. Constitution – 3/5th Compromise
Ratification of the U.S. Constitution, which which is considered the supreme law of the United States. It split the government into three branches-- The Legislative, Judicial and Executive Branches. The 3/5 Compromise made it so that slaves counted for 3/5 of a person, solving the conflict over voting. -
Northwest Ordinance
Established a government for the Northwest Territory, which included the land west of the Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi River. The first step in expanding America's land. This land would eventually become Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota. -
Fugitive Slave Act
Implored people of all states, even the free states, to return runaway slaves to their owners. Caused great danger for free slaves that had escaped from their masters, leading some to flee as far as Canada. Imposed penalties on those who assisted runaway slaves. One of the first events to ramp up the popularity of abolitionism. -
Invention of cotton gin
The "Cotton Gin" was a simple machine that sped up the production of cotton from taking days to produce ten pounds of cotton to taking less than a day to produce fifty pounds. Caused the explosion in popularity of slavery, labeled cotton as "King" due to how it expanded the US's economy. -
Ban on Slave Importation
This ban made it illegal for Americans to engage in the slave trade between nations. Gave authorities the right to seize and search slave ships, and to arrest those caught trading slaves. Didn't stop the smuggling of slaves, though it cut back on the slave trade and was one of the early steps towards abolitionism. -
Missouri Compromise
A law passed by Congress to temporarily settle the debate over slavery in the new states. For every free state, there must be a slave state, and vise versa, making the number of free and slave states equal. "Latitude line" was drawn was drawn to prohibit slavery north of the Louisiana Territory, with the exception of Missouri. Would cause more conflict in the future. -
Nat Turner Rebellion
Led by Nat Turner. One of the deadliest slave riots in history. Made up of enslaved African Americans. Ended up causing the deaths of around 55 to 65 white Americans. Took place in Southampton County Virginia. Sparked the South's fear of slave rebellions. -
South Carolina Nullification Crisis
A political crisis in South Carolina taking place between 1832-1833, under Andrew Jackson's presidency. Involved a confrontation between South Carolina and the federal government over nullification of tariffs. South Carolina ended up threatening to secede due to this. -
Organization of Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was a network of safehouses and individuals willing to help slaves escape to freedom. Mostly helped slaves escape from the South to the North. Harriet Tubman was important in the establishment of the Underground Railroad, leading around a hundred enslaved people to freedom. -
Wilmot Proviso
A proposal to prohibit slavery in any of the territories that America acquired from Mexico during the Mexican-American war. Didn't go over well at all with the South, who were intent on expanding slavery into the West and beyond. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
A treaty signed to end the Mexican-American war. Resulted in Mexico giving up of it's territory to the US. This includes the modern day states of California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and parts of Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Wyoming. Led to Mexico giving up claims to Texas. Recognized the Rio Grande as the border between the US and Mexico. -
Compromise of 1850
A series of five laws passed in 1850 that addressed the conflict on slavery expansion into the new territories. This compromise made California a free state, abolished the slave trade in Washington D.C. while still allowing slave ownership, instated the Fugitive Slave Act and gave Texas $10 million for the land south of the 32nd parallel. -
Uncle Tom’s Cabin published
An abolitionist novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe that attacked slavery and pointed out its flaws. Stirred up conflict in the South and ultimately became banned. Helped lay the groundwork for the Civil War. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Established the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, and replaced the Missouri Compromise. Intended to organize the Nebraska Territory and open up new land for development and the Transcontinental Railroad. Allowed popular sovereignty in both territories. -
Bleeding Kansas
A series of violent civil battles in Kansas, and less so in Missouri. Emerged from a debate over the legality of slavery in the Kansas and Missouri Territories. Earned the name "Bleeding Kansas" due to the utter brutality of the massacres and the deaths that were caused by them. -
Charles Sumner Attacked
An event where representative Preston Brooks of South Carolina attacked senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts. Brooks beat Sumner with the metal end of his cane due to Sumner's speech criticizing slavery and slaveholders. Sumner was left with severe physical and mental issues. -
Dred Scott Decision
An event in which the Supreme Court denied the legality of black citizenship in America and declared that they could therefore not enjoy the same privileges and rights as the white American citizens. Declared the Missouri Compromise to be unconstitutional. -
John Brown’s Raid at Harper’s Ferry
An armed attack on a federal armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, led by abolitionist John Brown and carried out by him and 18-21 men. Attempted to arm the slaves in the area and spark a slave uprising, but to no avail due to the small slave population in the area. John Brown and his comrades were caught and hung. -
Lincoln's election
This election was the breaking point for the already unstable nation that was America. Abraham Lincoln, an abolitionist, won against four other candidates. His election was met by protest from the South due to Lincoln's already pro-abolition views. By Lincoln's inauguration, several states in the Deep South would secede. -
South Carolina Secedes from Union
South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union after Lincoln's election. They believed that the new president and many other factors were threats to slavery, so they decided to secede to protect slavery. They argued that the Republicans' attempts to abolish slavery violated their states' rights, and that the Northern states had breached their constitutional obligation. Many other states would secede as well the next year, forming the Confederate States of America.