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Missouri Compromise
In 1819, there was an even amount of slave states and free states. Missouri wanted to join as a slave state. This, of course, caused tension between the North and South because neither wanted their rival to have more power. Finally, Congress came up with the Missouri Compromise in 1820. Missouri joined as a slave state, and Maine joined as a free state in order to make both states satisfied. The 36-30 line was also created as part of the compromise. -
Nullification Crisis
A new tariff was put into place that caused disruption throughout the nation. It was the highest tariff in history, and many people were unhappy. South Carolina was so angry, they passed an act against it and threatened to secede from the Union. -
Compromise of 1850
The compromise was passed with 5 different parts: the admission of California as a free state, the Fugitive Slave Act was created, popular sovereignty in Utah and New Mexico with slavery, banning slave trade in D.C., and the federal assumption of Texas's debt. This caused tension because there were now more free states than slave states, but the Fugitive Slave Act made Northerners unnhappy. -
"Uncle Tom's Cabin"
"Uncle Tom's Cabin" was written by Harriet Stowe. Her story talked about slavery and how slaves were treated. The book became extremely popular in the North. However, the South objected and claimed it depicted a false image of slave life. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act divided territory and allowed them to vote for slavery by popular sovereignty. Northerners were infuriated, as the Missouri Compromise had already outlawed slavery in the North. However, Southerners came back by saying it only applied to the Louisiana Purchase, making them strong supporters of this act. -
Bleeding Kansas
After the raid on Harper's Ferry, a series of murders against pro-slavery activists led by abolitionists were commited. In total, over 200 people were killed. -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott v. Sandford was a history making court case, stating that African Americans, whether free or slave, were not considered American citizens. It also states that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional. Dred Scott, who was a slave, had moved to a free state with his owner. Scott argued that he was free because he entered a free state. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Sandford. White southerners were ecstatic, but white northerners and African Americans were outraged. -
Raid on Harper's Ferry
John Brown, an abolitionist, took a few men to Harper's Ferry and conducted a raid. They tried to capture the towns firearms, and they hoped that the local slave population would help out. However, he was captured by militia and sentenced to death. Northerners mourned for the loss, as they believed he was a hero. Southereners, however, believed that the North wanted to destory them. -
Election of 1860
Northern and Southern Democrats could not decide a representative for their party, so they split into two. At the end of the election, republican Abraham Lincoln won. Southerners thought that this meant that they no longer had a say in the government because Lincoln was against slavery. They believed it would be necessary to leave the Union. -
South Carolina Secession
After the Election of 1860, South Carolina seceded from the Union. Shortly after, Missisippi seceded, with Florida and Alabama following only days after. One by one, southern states started to leave the Union. The Civil War began a few days before Virginia seceded.
