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Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was created by Henry Clay to draw a line from where slavery was and wasn't permitted. The line was also called the 36'30 line, but it created even more of a divide. -
Mexican-American War
Conflict after Texas is annexed by US, but Mexico saw it as theirs. The victory brought new land to the US, but the North saw it as a Southern conspiracy for more slave states. Lasted from 1846 until February 2, 1848 -
Wilmot Privoso
Failed proposal for the US to make all land won from the Mexican-American war free. Southern Congressmen blocked the bill from becoming law. -
California Gold Rush
Thousands move to California on the hunt to find gold and become rich. It called for California to request to be a free state, which angered the South because it would upset the free/slave state balance. -
Compromise of 1850
Determined the status of the land from the Mexican Cession, including California. This compromise eased sectional tension for a short period of time. -
Fugitive Slave Act
Most controversial part of the Compromise of 1850. Northern slave catchers could receive an award for 'returning' slaves to their owners. Free blacks were falsely sent back as runaways, causing northerners too hate slavery even more. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin was Published
Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe; detailed book about the horrors of slavery. Caused more hatred towards slavery in the North, North and South become more divided. -
Republican Party Forms
The Republican party was made up of individuals who opposed slavery and its expansion westward. It was originally formed from Whigs who were anti-slavery. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Proposed by Stephen Douglas; Was supposed to organize new northern states in the midwest for a northern railroad. This worried the south because it was above the 36'30 line. -
"Bleeding Kansas"
Kansas was given the name "Bleeding Kansas" after John Brown's raid, and other abolitionist movements. These events put a strain on the relation b/w the North and South. (1855-1861) -
Charles Sumner caned in the Senate
Charles Sumner was a Northern Senator, and was beaten by Southern Senator Preston Brooks with a cane until he fell unconscious with a fractured skull. -
Dred Scott v Sandford
Dred Scott was slave, who master told him he would be free before he died. When his master's wife remarried, the new master refused too free him. He took this too the Supreme Court, who much to the South's liking, said that he was property and could not sue. -
John Brown's Raid at Harper's Ferry
Armed slave revolt led by John Brown that killed 5 whites. Resulted in fear of more violent slave attacks, causing stricter slave codes. -
Abraham Lincoln elected President
Abraham Lincoln was elected as the 16th President in 1860. His election was a major cause of the war -
Southern States begin to secede
South Carolina was the first state to secede right after Lincoln was elected president. By the time Lincoln was sworn in, 7 states had seceded. (1860-1861) -
Battle at Fort Sumter
Lincoln sends a ship too resupply Fort Sumter, however, South Carolina claimed the fort belong to the Confederacy. South Carolina bombs the for, and captures Fort Sumter. Major catalyst of the Civil War.
