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3/5 Compromise
The southern states complained about their representation in the House of Representatives, saying it was unfair that their representation was limited because the majority of their population was slaves. The 3/5 compromise was passed so that slaves would now count as three fifths of a person in the population, increasing the amount of representation. Although this was an improvement, the degrading nature of ignoring the humanity of a slave illustrated the oppressive time. -
Underground Railroad
A network of secret routes and safe houses established in the United States during the early to mid-19th century. It was used by enslaved African Americans primarily to escape into free states and Canada. By provoking fear and anger in the South, and prompting the enactment of harsh legislation that eroded the rights of white Americans, the Underground Railroad was a direct contributing cause of the Civil War. -
Missouri Compromise
At this point in history there is an equal balance in the amount of free and slave states in the United States. Missouri wanted to apply for statehood as a slave state, and this would offset the balance between them. Henry Clay decides to create this compromise where Maine would join the United States as a free state to reestablish the balance. As a result, the US completed the Missouri Compromise as an attempt to preserve the balance of power in Congress between slave and free states. -
Nat Turner’s Rebellion
This rebellion lasted 2 days and was the only successful slave rebellion. Nat Turner was a black preacher and one summer night he armed a bunch of slaves with guns and axes and they went from house to house killing all the white men, women, and children (killed about 60) they were eventually caught and hung. His revolt hardened proslavery attitudes among Southern whites and led to new oppressive legislation prohibiting the education, movement, and assembly of slaves. -
Nullification Crisis
Propelled by John C. Calhoun’s pamphlet “The South Carolina Exposition and Protest” that argued that states should have the power to nullify federal laws, so South Carolina decided to veto the tariff of abominations. This crisis revealed the deep divisions between the North and the South and showed they could cause enormous problems in the future. Foreshadowing the future division of the Union during the Civil War. -
Fugitive Slave Act
Under this law, fugitives could not testify on their behalf and they were not allowed a trial by jury. These federal laws allowed the capture and return of runaway slaves within the territory of the United States. This act was seen as one of the pivotal events that led up to the Civil War. Although these laws were thought to lessen the tensions between the North and South, in the end it propelled the fight against slavery because it compelled citizens to assist in the capture of runaway slaves. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was a series of laws passed in 1850 that was composed of five separate bills passed by Congress. The laws put an end to slave trade in Washington, D.C. and made it easier for Southern slaveowners to recover runaway slaves. This compromise helped lead the United States further on the path of abolition the Civil War through ending slave trade in an influential city and the aid of runaway slaves. -
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Uncle Toms Cabin was written by Harried Beecher Stowe and played a critical role in the abolition movement. This novel popularized the anti-slavery movement as she brought to light the cruelty and harsh reality of slavery. Uncle Toms Cabin inspired many people to join the anti-slavery movement and helped white people in the north and south become truly aware of slavery behind closed doors. Stowe was even credited by Abraham Lincoln to have “started the civil war” with her novel. -
Election of 1860
This election was one of the most influential presidential elections in United States history because it decided the president that would lead the nation during a crisis, The Civil War. The main topic of the election was slavery and states’ rights. The election was between Abraham Lincoln, Senator Stephen Douglas, John Breckinridge, and John Bell. Lincoln was elected president and guided the United States during a pivotal and influential time period. -
Tariff of Abominations
This tariff raised the price on American textile goods which directly affected the southern farmers who produced this cotton. Because the price in these goods were raised the southern farmers had less money to spend on buying slaves, therefore the escalation of slavery diminished.