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The Mexican War ended
With the end of the war, American was confused that would the new territories be admitted to be free or slave? -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Act was passed as part of the Compromise of 1850. This act forced any federal official who did not arrest a runaway slave liable to pay a fine.It caused many abolitionists to increase their efforts against slavery http://americanhistory.about.com/od/civilwarmenu/tp/secessionevents.htm -
Uncle Tom's Cabin was released
It was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. The novel described the evils of slavery. Also, it had a huge impact on the way that northerners viewed slavery. -
bleeding Kansas shocked Northerners
The Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed, allowing these two states to decide to be a free or slave state. Kansas became a hotbed of violence as pro and anti slavery forces fought over the state. -
Charles Sumner is attacked
One day after Kansas announced it to be a free state, violence occurred on the floor of the Senate. Pro slavery Congressman Preston Brooks attacked Charles Sumner after Sumner gave a speech attacking the proslavery forces. https://www.capitol.gov/html/VGN_2010061462876.html -
Dred Scott decision
Dred Scott was a slave who claimed his freedom on the court. The Court ruled that his petition could not be seen because he did not hold any property, and he would still be a slave. The decision caused abolitionists increase their efforts to fight against slavery http://www.ushistory.org/us/32a.asp -
Lecompton Constitution reject
The Congress and President James Buchanan encouraged Kansas to become a slave state. However, Kansas voters rejected the Constitution and Kansas became a free state http://www.britannica.com/event/Lecompton-Constitution -
John Brown raided Harper's ferry
John Brown was a radical abolitionist who had been involved in anti-slavery violence in Kansas. He led a group of seventeen including five blacks to raid the arsenal located in Virgenia. http://www.biography.com/people/john-brown-9228496 -
Abraham Lincoln was elected president
After Abraham Lincoln was elected, South Carolina followed by six other states seceded from the Union because Lincoln agreed that the South was becoming too powerful and made it part of their platform that slavery would be extended to any new state.
