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Slavery In The South
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Expansion of Cotton Plantations
American cotton production went from 156,000 bales in the early 1800’s, to over 4,000,000 bales by 1860. The demand for cotton harvesting led to an increase in slavery, which created tension, because many northerners during this time were trying to abolish slavery. Economically all of the cotton being harvested was beneficial, but the conditions were terrible. Abolitionists in the north and a small number of abolitionists in the south argued that the system was immoral. -
Nat Turners Rebellion
Nat Turner was the leader of a rebellion of enslaved Virginians that took place in August of 1831. Around 60 white people were killed. Nat Turner's rebellion led to a new series of laws. Virginia ended up debating on ending slavery, but chose to continue on with it. This rebellion created fear within the southerners and created super harsh slave codes. As a result there was more restriction on education, higher security, increase in brutal punishments, and less freedom for the free black people. -
Gag Rule
In congress the house of representatives used the gag rule in order to prohibit discussions and debates involving anti-slavery petitions. Congress relieved over 130,000 petitions from citizens who wanted an end to slavery, and congress would not acknowledge these petitions. This led to a silence in the debate and people against slavery were not heard. Tension was created between the North and South on their differences and beliefs when it came to slavery. -
Amistad Case
The Amistad Case was a Supreme Court case resulting in rebellion from Africans who were on board the Spanish Schooner La Amistad. Joseph Cinqué was a West African Man who led his people to go against the individuals who captured them. The battle won them their freedom which created a bunch of controversy involving the slave trade. There was a lot of controversy involving human rights and different beliefs in that specific topic, which led to fights and arguments. -
The Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was a way of resisting enslavement. African Americans would escape and fight to try and become free. A secret network of routes is what made this strategy possible. The Underground Railroad provoked fear and anger in the South. One hundred thousand slaves were able to find freedom because of this network. Harriet Tubman is a very popular face associated with the Underground Railroad because she helped guid many slaves, towards their path to freedom. -
The Compromise Of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 had a huge deal with addressing the separations between the North and the South. This compromise called for the abolishment of slave trade in Washington D.C and amended the Fugitive slave act. California was now considered a free state, and provided territorial government to Utah and New Mexico. The Compromise drove the nation further against slavery, and the South feared the end of slavery, while the north wanted an end, which led to more controversy. -
The Fugitive Slave Law
The fugitive slave law passed on September 18, 1850. It was involved within the compromise of 1850. This act required that slaves be returned to their owners, even if they were inside a free state. This law put the duty of finding and returning slaves back to their owners, on the federal government. Southerners were happy with this law and believed it was justified, while northerners argued the law was equal to kidnapping. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
On May 30, 1854, the Kansas Nebraska act repealed the Missouri Compromise, and created two new territories during this process as well. The Kansas Nebraska act allowed for popular sovereignty. This act became the start to a different uprising which is known as Bleeding Kansas. Southerners did not like this act. They feared it would lead to a territory filled with anti-slavery settlers. Northerners feared part of the area would be filled with Pro slavery settlers. -
Dred Scott
Dred Scott was an enslaved African American, who gained his freedom. On March 6, 1857, the U.S. The Supreme Court decided that just because an African American lives in a free state, does not guarantee the right for them to be free. Dred Scott was not entitled to his freedom. To back up the decision made, the court argued that because Scott was someone’s property, and not a legal citizen, he could not sue in federal court. This decision caused major tensions in the slavery. -
John Brown's Raid On Harpers Ferry
An abolitionist named John Brown led a raid at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. His main goal was to start a slave rebellion and he was a voice to initiate a slave revolt in Southern states. His raid was very publicly criticized by Northerners. The South became even more afraid and southerners became convinced abolitionists would never stop. This event caused peaceful abolitionists to accept more aggressive strategies to put an end to slavery.