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Civil War Causes
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Missouri Compromise
The creation of the state of Maine to balance out congressional representation of free and slave states due to Missouri's attempt to accede to statehood. -
Nat Turner Rebellion
A slave revolt is instigated by radical abolitionist Nat Turner in Southampton Virginia. The revolt killed around 65 white people, mostly women and children before being put down by the military. The revolt resulted in even further tightening of freedoms for slaves. -
Wilmot Proviso
Unsuccessful proposal to congress attempts to ban the expansion of slavery into acquired territories part of the Mexican cession. -
Treaty of Guadaloupe-Hildago
The Mexican-American War ends with the Mexican cession via the Treaty of Guadaloupe-Hildago which ceded massive amounts of territory to the US. The war served as a proving ground for major generals in the Civil War later, and the ceded land sparked further tensions between slave and free states on the allowance of slavery in these territories. -
Compromise of 1850
Allowed California's accession to statehood as a free state but also agreeing to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act, bringing the issue of slavery to the average Northerner's doorstep. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
A book about the life of a slave is published which recives widespread appraise and helps the cause of abolition, even the Queen of England read it. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
Opens Kansas and Nebraska, two aspiring states, to deciding their status through popular sovereignty. -
Scott vs. Sandford
Scott vs. Sandford was a landmark decision which ruled that the constitution did not include people of African descent and thus had no rights in the US. -
John Brown's Raid
John Brown attempts to ignite a slave revolt by taking control of the Arsenal at Harpers Ferry in Virginia. -
Lincoln's Inauguration
Abraham Lincoln, a gradualist abolitionist, is elected president over Southern candidate John Breckinridge despite Lincoln not even being listed on Southern ballots during the election in 1860.