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Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was a series of safe houses or "stations" that helped slaves escape to free states. Many abolitionists acted as "conductors" who helped move the runaways to free states. -
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Antebellum Period
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Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass was an African American social reformer and abolitionist after he escaped from slavery in Maryland. He became a well known leader of the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts and New York and wrote many documents on anti-slavery. His most well known writing was the "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave." -
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Free Soil Party
The Free Soil Party opposed the expansion of slavery in western territories. They argued that free men on free soil were economically superior to the system of slavery. They also advocated federal aid for internal improvements and urged free government homesteads for settlers. -
Seneca Falls Convention
The Seneca Falls Convention was the first women’s rights convention in the United States and was led by Elizabeth C. Stanton and Lucretia Mott. The purpose of the convention was to fight for the social, civil and religious rights of women.The women at the convention also pushed for the end of slavery and racial discrimination. -
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman escaped slavery in 1849 and then devoted her life to helping other slaves escape to safer states. She also became the conductor of the Underground Railroad. Not only did she help slaves escape but she also played a vital role in the Civil War. She became an armed scout and spy for the Union as well. -
Democratic and Republican Parties
Due to the disagreement on slavery, the Whig party split into the Democratic and Republican parties. Those who were the more conservative Whigs helped the Union during the election of 1860. -
Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth was a female abolitionist for equal rights for African Americans and women. She is best known for her speech about racial equality and suffrage at the Ohio Women's Rights Convention. -
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Bleeding Kansas
Bleeding Kansas was a series of wars between pro-slavery advocates vs anti-slavery advocates in the United States. Each side fought for the control of the new territory of Kansas. The war was settled when Kansas was admitted as a free state. This war also solidified the creation of the Republican Party and the need for abolition. -
Dred Scott vs Stanford Case
The Dred Scott case was about a slave who sued for his freedom. His case was eventually brought to the Supreme Court and was shut down. The Supreme Court decided that slaves could never become citizens of the United States and therefore could not sue in federal court. -
Election of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States. The election of Lincoln caused secession of the Southern states. Lincoln advocated for the end of slavery which also spurred the secession of the Confederate States.
