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First Slaves Brought to America
In the early 17th century, European settlers in North America bring 20 African slaves to America in a dutch ship. The slaves are cheap, and they are perfect for the hard farm work in early America. These are the first of many slaves to be taken to America. -
Fugitive Slave Act of 1793
The first of two Fugitive Slave Acts, the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 was passed by congress and permitted local governments to seize fugitive slaves and return them to their owners. Anyone who aided in the escape of the slaves, even white men, were punished by the governments. -
The Slave Trade Act
The Slave Trade Act is passed in 1807, prohibiting anyone from bringing slaves into the country from anywhere outside of America after the first of January, 1808. -
Missouri Compromise
Declared that their had to be an even number of slave states and free states. -
Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso was pressed in order to eliminate slavery from the land gained after the Mexican-American War. -
Compromise of 1850
Divisions over new territory gained in the Mexican-American War were resolved. A compromise was reached declaring that California was a free state. Utah and New Mexico were created, but the decision of them being slave or free states was left to popular sovereignty. -
Fugitive Slave Act
Gave more power to local governments in terms of capturing runaway slaves and punishing those who aided in the escape of slaves. -
Uncle Tom’s Cabin Published
Harriet Beecher Stowe publishes Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which receives critical acclaim and revealed the brutality of slavery to all who ignored it. It is banned in the South, raising suspicion of the citizens in the South. -
Bleeding Kansas
A series of violent confrontations in Kansas between anti-slavery activists and pro-slavery activists. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Declared that slavery was prohibited in states north of latitude 36°30´. -
Dred Scott vs. Sanford Supreme Court Case
The Supreme court declares that Dred Scott is not free, as well as declaring that slaves do not have any rights, including the right to take someone to trial. -
John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry
The U.S. military’s arsenal at Harpers Ferry was targeted by an armed band of abolitionists, led by John Brown. It was the first phase of a plan to create a sanctuary for free-slaves. However; John Brown was captured during the raid and later executed.
