-
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri compromise was created to divide the free states and the slave states equally. Missouri was admitted to the union as a slave state and Maine was admitted to the union as a free state. The idea for the Missouri Compromise came from Henry Clay. Missouri was officially admitted to the Union on August 10th, 1821. This created tension between the free states and the slave states because it made the argument over the issue of slavery bigger and the U.S. kept adding states to the union. -
Nat Turner Rebellion
A slave rebellion that occurred in in Southampton County Virginia. The rebel slaves killed from 55 to 65 people and at least 51 were white. This one one of the biggest and bloodiest Slave Rebellions. Turner was in hiding for 6 weeks and was caught and executed. State and federal troops murdered at least 200 black people. Virginia debated over abolishing slavery but instead added slave codes to control slaves, this caused tension between the north and south and eventually led to the civil war. -
The Wilmot Proviso
This was a provision that was attached to an appropriation bill that stated that Slavery would be banned from any territory that was gained during the Mexican-American War. This was proposed by David Wilmont. It was proposed during the presidency of James K. Polk. this created tension between the North and south because the South wanted some of the western territory to become slave states southerners also saw the Wilmont Proviso as a threat and thought it was an attempt to destroy slavery. -
Compromise of 1850
5 different laws that were passed by congress in 1850. The fugitive slave act was created and the Slave trade in Washington D.C was over. This was introduced by Henry Clay and let congress to avoid slavery issues and issues on sectionalism for years. This caused tension between the north and south because California was admitted as a free state and slavery was not regulated in the rest of the territories gained from Mexico but it did strengthen the Fugitive slave act which angered northerners. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave act was an act that was apart of the Compromise of 1850. Slaveholders were allowed to capture runaways and courts were set up to determine the legal status of runaway slaves. States like Vermont and Wisconsin wanted to Nullify the law. This act increased the use of the Underground Railroad where slaves would escape to Canada. This act increased tension between the North and South because Northerners saw the act as intrusive and it made the argument of slavery bigger. -
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
This was a novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe.The book took place in Kentucky. It talked about the principles of abolitionism and talked about the separation of slave families.The book sold 301,00 copies in the U.S. and double the amount in Britain. Theatrical versions and musicals were created from the book. It caused tension between the north and south because the north protested the fugitive slave law and personal liberty laws were passed.The fugitive slave law was ruled unconstitutional. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This act was created to repeal the Missouri Compromise. It allowed people to decide weather or not to allow slavery within their boarders. Former Senator Stephan A. Douglass and president Franklin Pierce. Kansas was admitted as a state in 1861. It caused tension between the North and South because it replaced the Missouri compromise which kept the peace. It also applied popular sovereignty and expanded slavery beyond the southern states. -
Bleeding Kansas
A series of violent civil confrontations in the U.S. This was between 1854-1861. This started from the debate of the legality of slavery in Kansas. Horace Greeley came up with the term Bleeding Kansas. Kansas was admitted to the union on January 29th, 1861. It "opened the North to slavery" and led to the establishment of the Republican Party to try to prevent the expansion of slavery. Bleeding Kansas is said to be one of the main events that ultimately led to the civil war. -
Brooks Attacks Sumner
In this incident representative Preston Brooks used a walking cane to attack senator Charles Summer over a speech Summer gave over anti-slavery. The incident took place in The U.S. Senate Chamber. Summer became severally injured and Brooks was seen as a hero in the south. The North was shocked by the attack and the South believed that the attack was justified and in defense of the south. This caused more controversy over the debate on slavery -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott was a slave who lived with his owner in the free state of Illinois. He believed that since he lived in a free state he should be free he took his case to court.7 out of 9 justices believed that Scott was still a slave. Roger B. Taney and he said that even if they were free or enslaved African Americans would not be citizens. The North had African Americans that were considered free citizens, this was very different from southern perspective and helped lead to the Civil War. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
This was a series of 7 debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephan A. Douglas. These debates were over the issues of slavery in expanding territories they were both running for senator in Illinois. Stephan A. Douglas won the seat. A few years later Douglas and Lincoln ran against each other for president. Tension was caused between the north and south because the north supported Douglas's position and angered the south. -
Raid on Harpers Ferry
An abolitionist John Brown led a raid in Harpers Ferry Virginia. He attempted to start a slave rebellion and destroy slavery. The raid only lasted for two days. Brown's 22 men were all defeated by U.S. Marines. John Brown was an abolitionist and therefore was on the side of the North. The North and south both heard about the raid and this created tension between the North and South because both sides were interested and this is the battle that was said to have really led to the Civil War. -
Election of 1860
This was a United State presidential Election where Abraham Lincoln a republican won the presidency. Lincoln received 180 electoral votes. Lincoln beat 3 other candidates. The split in votes was over slavery and caused 7 states to secede from the union starting with South Carolina which would later lead to the Civil war.
