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Missouri Compromise
The Compromise raised tension between northern and southern states.
The Missouri Compromise placed a limit on slave states which angered the south. Henry Clay stated that Louisiana territory was to be free which led to increasing anger of southern slave owners. -
Mexican War
The result of the Mexican-American war led to mass land accumulation by the Americans. This would eventually cause an unbalance in slave/free states, angering the Southerners and eventually leading to the compromise of 1850. -
Wilmot Proviso
The Statement raised tension between northern and southern states.
The Wilmot Proviso was basically a legal statement that announced all acquired land from the Mexican war to be free. This would enrage the south and cause much controversy between regions. -
California Gold Rush
The Rush had a neutral effect on tension between the North and South.
The California Gold Rush peaked in 1849 and was a time of heavy gold mining and mass population growth in California. The only tension caused by this event was later on when California was admitted as a free state which raised southern anger -
Compromise of 1850
This Compromise RAISED the tension between the North and South-
This raised tension between Northern and Southern States because angered the south. This upset the south mainly because California was admitted as a Free State and slave trade was banned in Washington D.C. -
Fugitive Slave Law
This law RAISED tension between the North and South.
This law was passed in order to eliminate fugitive slaves escaping to the northern free states. It required those above the proclamation line to help slave catchers in retrieving runaway slaves, it also caused many free black people to become enslaved. -
Uncle Tom’s Cabin is Published
This raised tension between northern and southern states.
This book was published in aspirations of increasing abolitionism across the country. The southerners referred to it as propaganda while the book was extremely popular and eye opening in the north. This book led to tension because slave owners were reluctant and northerners were able to see 2nd hand what it was like to be a slave. -
Republican Party Forms
This event did not have a huge impact on tension between the north and south.
The Republican party formed when whigs, democrats and other northern forms of government split. This party revolved around abolition of slavery and caused much controversy. If it affected union tension rise in any way it was because of southern fear of abolition. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This act lowered tension between the North and South.
This act was basically to appease to everyone in the union, it regulated the people's vote for slavery of those who lived in Nebraska and Kansas. The North saw it as fair and the South didn’t complain. -
“Bleeding Kansas”
This event raised tension in the union.
“Bleeding Kansas” is popular for being a time of great debate and tension along Kansas’ borders. Many protests, violent acts and political confrontations occured in the 7 year span. This angered northerners and while the southerners were also outraged at the time, mutual tension was brought to the table. -
Charles Sumner Caned In The Senate
This raised tension between northern and southern states.
This event involved angry Preston Brooks bursting into the senate house and interrupting Charles Sumner. This ultimately led to Preston beating Sumner with a cane and actually fracturing his skull. This outraged northern politicians. -
Dred Scott vs. Sandford
This ruling had a neutral effect on tension between the North and South
This court case ruled that anyone of African descent could not sue or bring one to trial. If any tension was brought as an effect of this case, it would be from the North because many northerners supported black rights. -
John Brown’s Raid at Harper’s Ferry
This raid raised tension between the North and South.
John Brown was a strong abolitionist who wanted to end slavery as soon as he could. He and his rallied troop of slaves plotted an attack at Harper’s Ferry at which they failed to succeed, this however angered the North. -
Abraham Lincoln Elected President
This raised tension between the north and the south.
Abraham Lincoln’s election into the presidential office was highly controversial, especially in the southern states. Lincoln’s campaign was built upon ending slavery, giving him a bad name to southern slave owners. When he was elected, a union secession began and ultimately led to the Civil War. -
Southern States Begin to Secede
This event raised tension in the union
The southern states were furious over the election of Abraham Lincoln. This led to secession, the first state being South Carolina. The states seceded because they wanted to form another nation that would allow slavery and have no fear of abolitionists. -
Battle at Fort Sumter
This raised tension between the North and South.
This was the first, or starting battle of the American CIvil War. Commander of the Confederate forces, Beauregard, opened fire on the Union garrison holding Fort Sumter. This had been preceded by several similar bombardments.
