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Invention of the cotton gin
Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin- a machine that did a lot for people in the South. The machine removed the seeds from cotton plants. It worked by the fibers being dragged through a wooden drum with hooks that dragged the fibers through a mesh. The mesh didn't allow the seeds to fall through. http://www.history.com/topics/inventions/cotton-gin-and-eli-whitney -
Missouri Compromise
As an effort to prevent sectional and political conflict over Missouri's request to become a slavery-permitted state, the Missouri Compromise was formed by Congress. As Missouri was a territory, an amendment proposing the end of slavery in the state was defeated. 2 provisions were in place- Maine was free & slavery was excluded from the Louisiana Purchase lands. http://www.history.com/topics/missouri-compromise -
Tariff of 1828 & Nullification Crisis
The Tariff of 1828, also known as the Tariff of Abominations, the goal of this tariff was to protect agricultural products from competition with foreign goods. This was later replaced with the Tariff of 1832.
South Carolina confronted the federal government to attempt to null the 2 tariffs. On November 24, 1832, these tariffs became voided through the Ordinance of Nullification. http://history.house.gov/HistoricalHighlight/Detail/36974
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Nat Turner's Rebellion
The most effective slave rebellion in U.S. history, Nathanial Turner & 6 other slaves killed the Travis family, leading to 75 other slaves murdering 51 white people. This put fear in Southerners & resulted in harsher laws against slaves. http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/nat-turner -
The Liberator is published
A weekly newspaper published by William Lloyd Garrison first came out on January 1, 1831. The newspaper advocated the legal freedom for slaves & was very radical. Southern slaveholders demanded the paper to be shut down & Georgia offered $5,000 for Garrison’s capture. http://www.accessible-archives.com/collections/the-liberator/ -
Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso banned slavery in territories that came from Mexico. Many Southerners were against this ban. President James Polk suggested extending the line for allowed slavery below the 36'30 latitude line & forbid it above the line. The Wilmot Proviso never made it to the Senate, therefore, it never became a law. http://www.americaslibrary.gov/aa/polk/aa_polk_wilmot_1.html -
Underground Railroad
Working as a network of people, it provided shelter & helped escaped slaves. Conductors guided fugitive (slaves on their own until they reach a spot up north) slaves and kept them in hiding places. Many headed north to Canada through Detroit or to New England through Pennsylvania. http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/underground-railroad -
Compromise of 1850
A bill consisting of 5 laws that dealt with slavery. Henry Clay introduced this bill. The Senate defeated the bill , however, it was split into individual bills & enabled Congress to avoid issues for many years. https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Compromise1850.html
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Uncle Tom's Cabin is published
Written by Harriet Stowe as a reaction to recently tightened fugitive slave laws. This book was published on March 20, 1852. It had a major influence on the way Americans viewed slavery. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/uncle-toms-cabin-is-published -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
An act proposed by Senator Douglas of Illinois repealing the Missouri Compromise, slavery issues were decided by residents in each territory. This was known as popular sovereignty. This decision caused violence in Kansas prior to the Civil War between those against slavery & those pro-slavery. https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/kansas.html -
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`Bleeding Kansas`
The period of violence that erupted after the Kansas-Nebraska Act when Kansas territory was being settled. Having pro-slavery & anti-slavery residents caused trouble for several years. Towards 1861, violence decreased. http://www.history.com/topics/bleeding-kansas -
Brooks-Sumner Event
Senator Charles Sumner endorsed the Republican Party in 1855, which opposed slavery interests. In a speech, he talked negatively of colleague Andrew P. Butler. As a result, Congressman & cousin of Andrew Butler, Preston Brooks, assaulted Sumner & left him with injuries that took 3 years to recover from. http://www.history.com/topics/charles-sumner -
Dred Scott Decision
The decision of the Supreme Court whether or not Dred Scott was free since his owner spent time in Illinois & Wisconsin. The majority of votes said he was not free, and the deciding vote declared him not free as well. Dred Scott was not considered as a person under the U.S Constitution. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/dred-scott-decision -
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Lincoln-Douglas debates
Abraham Lincoln & Stephen A. Douglas campaigned for one of the U.S Senate seats for Illinois. They debated in 7 out of 9 Illinois Congressional Districts. One spoke for an hour, the other spoke for 90 minutes, & a 30 minute rebuttal to conclude the debates. https://www.nps.gov/liho/learn/historyculture/debates.htm -
John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry
John Brown, a passionate, anti-slavery abolitionist, traveled to Kansas to fight against those who were pro-slavery. He created an "army" of 22 men & rented a farm near Harpers Ferry. He attacked the arsenal, word spread, & the "army" was surrounded by soldiers. 10 of his men were killed. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/john-browns-raid-on-harpers-ferry -
Secession of Southern States
The Confederacy was formed after Lincoln's inauguration, as 7 Southern states seceded from the Union. Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas all seceded by February. This was all due to the issue of slavery. http://www.ushistory.org/us/32e.asp -
Election of 1860
Election held to nominate who would become president between Abraham Lincoln, John C. Breckinridge, Stephen A. Douglas, & John Bell. Lincoln got a bit less than 40% of the vote, but won 180 electoral votes. When Lincoln was inaugurated, 7 states in the South seceded & a civil war began. https://www.britannica.com/event/United-States-presidential-election-of-1860 -
Fort Sumter is fired upon
The beginning of the Civil War, as Confederates fire on Fort Sumter in North Carolina. For 33 hours, starting at 4:30 am, shots were fired. Eventually, the garrison inside the fort raised the white flag and surrendered. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fort-sumter-fired-upon
