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Northwest Ordinance (Political Issue) ~Red~
The ordinance established a government for the northwest territory, outlined the process for admitting a new state to the Union, and also protected civil liberties and outlawed slavery in the new territory. The south was not pleased with the outlawing of slavery in the new territory and this increased tensions between the north and south. -
The Missouri Compromise (Political Issue) ~Green~
Congress passed a bill that allowed Missouri to become a slave state, but forbade slave states in the rest of the territory north of the 36th parallel line. The compromise also added Maine as a free state, which kept the balance between free and slave states equal. The Missouri Compromise calmed tensions between the north and south, and was accepted for a while. -
Nat Turner Rebellion (Social Event) ~Red~
Nat Turner, a Virginian slave who became a preacher, organized a group of about 30-50 slaves to execute the bloodiest revolt in history. Throughout the night, the slaves murdered approximately 55 people in Southampton County, Virginia. The revolt ended in the death of Nat Turner, and many other slaves, created tighter restrictions, and further segregated African Americans and white people, which exacerbated the growing tensions on the issue of slavery. -
Gag rule (Political Issue) ~Red~
The Gag Rule, proposed by James Hammond, would table any petitions regarding the issue of slavery. This rule clearly violated the first amendment and outraged many abolitionists. The Gag Rule was repealed on December 3, 1844. It worked to further polarize the north and south, because the south attempted to quiet the opinions of the north. -
Amistad Case (Social & Political Event) ~Red~
A Spanish ship, La Amistad, was carrying 55 slaves on board when an uprising took place. The slaves killed the captain and took possession of the ship. Upon discovering the ship, the slaves and the two other passengers on board were brought to a court. They were deemed free, despite the two white passengers claiming them as their property. This exacerbated tensions leading to the Civil War, because the south was outraged at the ruling. -
Annexation of Texas (Political Issue) ~Red~
The annexation of Texas created widespread opposition because the north did not want to see Texas admitted as a slave state, but slavery was a staple in the state's economy. It was also heavily opposed because it inevitably led to a war with Mexico, but the United States still continued. After fighting the Mexican war, America had gained Texas through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. However, tensions were still high because Texas being admitted as a state meant the expansion of slavery. -
Mexican War (Political Event) ~Red~
When Texas was admitted to the Union, Mexico broke ties with their diplomacy in Washington. Tensions rose between Mexicans and Americans over border disputes. President Polk attempted to stifle conflicts and sent troops to protect borders. At first Mexico refused to fight, but eventually they took up arms agains the Americans. After a longer than expected war, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo decided to recognize the Rio Grande as the boundary of Texas, and the war was over. -
Wilmot Proviso (Political Issue) ~Red~
The Wilmot Proviso was a bill created by David Wilmot, it stated that any territory gained in Mexico would prohibit slavery; it was passed in the house but denied in the Senate. The bill was never passed because of widespread opposition in the south. It did however, increase tensions between the north and south. -
The California Gold Rush (Economic Event) ~Red~
Gold was found in the mountains in California exciting the nation and promoting migration towards California. People came from all over the world to try to make it big. The population of California grew increasingly diverse, some miners would enslave Indians to work for them. The diversity & unsure status of the state pressured America to decide if California should be considered a free or slave state. -
The Compromise of 1850 (Political Issue) ~Red~
The Compromise of 1850 was presented on January 29,1850 by Senator Henry Clay, in order to stifle tensions between the north and the south. The proponents aimed to be mutually beneficial to both sides. They included; California entering the Union as a free state, popular sovereignty in Mexico, Settling the boundary dispute in Texas and New Mexico, outlawing the slave trade in Washington Dc, and passing the Fugitive Slave Act. Ultimately it exacerbated tensions that led to the Civil War. -
The Fugitive Slave Act (Political Issue) ~Red~
An element of the Compromise of 1850, the FSA was proposed by Senator Henry Clay. It required the return of all runaway slaves, and could fine any person who aided in the escape of a slave. Created widespread opposition because the act forced abolitionists to report and activity and could punish them for being involved in their escape. This increased the already high tensions between the north and the south. -
Publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin (Social Event) ~Red~
A novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, that described the horrific lives of African Americans at the hands of their masters. Further reinforced the idea of slavery being terrible. This novel laid the groundwork for the Civil War, the contents of the novel pushed the abolitionist agenda, and majorly influenced the way some Americans viewed slavery. This novel drove tensions between the polarized Union even higher. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act (Political Issue) ~Red~
Passed by Congress, this act was enacted to divide Kansa and Nebraska and quell tensions about whether the territory would be a free or slave state. Nebraska became a free state and Kansas was first considered a slave state, but a large group of Missourians upset the balance between abolitionists and anti-abolitionists. Slavery was actively being forced onto the abolitionists and eventually created high tension in the territory. This act also repealed the earlier Missouri Compromise. -
Ostend Manifesto (Political & Economic Issue) ~Red~
An attempt for America to buy Cuba from Spain, the information regarding this was leaked and northerners were outraged. They believed that the Union was trying to undermine them and add a new slave state. The south in turn, opposed any other attempts to welcome free states to the nation. The Ostend Manifesto was deemed unconstitutional, and it increased the tension between the north and the south. -
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Bleeding Kansas (Social Issue) ~Red~
A period of violence between 1855- 1856, arising through the debate over the status of Kansas as a free or slave state. Fueled a rebellion where a man, his four sons, and two other men joined together to kill five pro-slavery settlers and leaving their bodies to discourage other supporters from entering Kansas, causing both sides to form their own opposing governments.This also increased tensions and more lives were lost. Ultimately led to Kansas being admitted as a free state in 1861. -
Dred Scott Decision (Political Issue) ~Red~
A slave, by the name Dred Scott, was taken into a free state and upon his masters death sued the widow for his freedom. Chief supreme court justice, Robert Taney, declared that Scott had no grounds to sue the widow because he was private property and had no rights to his freedom. Increased tensions between the north and south because Taney further dehumanized African Americans by declaring Scott as private property. -
John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry (Political Event) ~Red~
A raid led by John Brown in which he hoped to seize a mountain fortress in Virginia. He believed he could create a slave army with the weapons he would raid. Ultimately he was captured and hung, but the North hailed the efforts of Brown. The south was horrified by the actions that Brown took and pushed further with their plans for disunion. -
Crittenden Compromise (Political Issue) ~Red~
Proposed by John Crittenden, as an attempt to stall the Civil War. Tried to pass a compromise that would; reenact the Missouri Compromise and extend it west, compensate owners of fugitive slaves, popular sovereignty in territories, protect slavery in District of Columbia, and forbid interference with interstate slave trade. It was unsuccessful and was defeated in the Senate on March 2, 1861. It was the final chance to avoid war and it fell through.
