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Dred Scott Decision, 1857
Dred Scott sues for his freedom because he has been living in a free state for a prolonged period of time. Supreme Court rules against him, stating African Americans are property and have no rights. -
Fugitive Slave Law, 1793
The Fugitive Slave Laws were laws that allowed capture and return of runaway slaves in territory of the United States. -
Missouri Compromise, 1820
The Missouri Compromise was an effort by Congress to stop the sectional and political rivalries triggered by the request of Missouri late in 1819 for admission as a state in which slavery would be permitted. -
Wilmot Proviso, 1846
Meant that California as well as territories of Utah and New Mexico would be closed to slavery forever. -
The 31st Congress of 1849
The Thirty-first United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. -
The Compromise of 1850
The country becomes more divided over slavery, Henry Clay creates a compromise to appease both Northern and Southern states. -
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman is a slave who escapes and throughout her life helps thousands of other slaves escape. She becomes an abolitionist. -
Uncle Toms Cabin
In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe published Uncle Toms Cabin, a book about how evil slavery was. It stirred many strong reactions and sold 3000 copies within the first day, 100,000 in the first 3 months and 1 million by the middle of 1853. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
Created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, opening new lands for settlement, and repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820 by allowing white male settlers in those territories to determine through popular sovereignty if they would allow slavery. -
Bleeding Kansas 1854-1861
Bleeding Kansas was a series of violent political confrontations between Anti Slavery free staters and pro slavery "border ruffians." -
Beating of Senator Charles Sumner, 1856
In 1856, Charles Sumner, an abolitionist, gave a bitter speech titled "The Crime Against Kansas." Preston Brooke's, a member of senate and supporter of slavery, beat him with a cane and was fined $300. -
Harpers Ferry 1859
John Brown considers himself the second coming of Moses and wants to lead a slave rebellion. He robs military of weapons to give to slaves, but is eventually captured and killed for treason. -
Election of 1860
The United States presidential election of 1860 was the 19th quadrennial presidential election. The election was held on Tuesday, November 6, 1860, and served as the immediate impetus for the outbreak of the American Civil War. Abraham Lincoln won. -
South Carolina Secedes From Union 1860
South Carolina wants to continue slavery and feel threatened, so they decide to secede from Union. 12 other states follow and this is the start of the civil war.
