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Period: to
Underground Railroad
Many consider Quakers to be the first organized group to help slaves escape. Harriet Tubman was an escaped slave who later helped others escape. The people who helped the slaves escape were nicknamed "conductors". The slaves were taken to private homes, churches, and school houses.
(http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/underground-railroad) -
Period: to
Washington in Office
George Washington built the foundation for the government of the United States. Washington was elected president after the new Constitution was ratified. The determination of foreign policy was a major concern to him when he was president.
(https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/presidents/georgewashington) -
Invention of the Cotton Gin
The invention of the cotton gin was significant because it sped up the process of removing seeds from cotton fiber. Due to Eli Whitney's invention, cotton became America's leading export. Southern planters maintained and expanded slavery because of this invention.
(http://www.history.com/topics/inventions/cotton-gin-and-eli-whitney) -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was significant because it established a boundary between free and slave regions. Missouri was admitted as a slave state and Maine was admitted as a free state. The Missouri Compromise was repealed and replaced with the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 due to the north and the south disagreeing over it.
(http://www.history.com/topics/missouri-compromise) -
The Liberator is Published
The Liberator was significant to the fight to end slavery. William Lloyd Garrison used moral persuasion in his newspaper in order to get his point of view out there. Free African Americans contributed to the success of this newspaper.
http://www.ushistory.org/us/28a.asp -
Nat Turner's Rebellion
Nat Turner's rebellion was significant because it caused whites throughout the south to be more strict with slave codes. Nat Turner and six other slaves started killing people and encouraged other slaves to join them. North Carolina passed more laws against enslaved people and free blacks.
(http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/nchist-newnation/4574) -
Tariff of 1828 & Nullification Crisis
The tariff of 1828 infuriated the southern states,
who felt that it only helped the north. This tariff increased the cost of British textiles. The nullification of this law was not successful.
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/24c.asp) -
Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso was designed because of the Mexican War and it increased the growing controversy over slavery. David Wilmot was against the addition of slave territory. This idea never worked out in the Senate, but it did help to divide the nation even further.
(http://www.history.com/topics/wilmot-proviso) -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was an attempt to resolve conflicts between the nation after the Mexican American War. As a result of the compromise, California entered the Union as a free state. The compromise prevented sectional and slavery issues for many years.
(http://www.history.com/topics/compromise-of-1850)
(https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Compromise1850.html) -
Uncle Tom's Cabin is Published
Uncle Tom's Cabin was significant because it changed how many people viewed slavery. This novel influenced many men to fight for this issue. This book served a powerful role as an anti slavery tool.
(http://www.historynet.com/uncle-toms-cabin)
(http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/uncle-toms-cabin-is-published) -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act permitted the people who lived in a territory to determine whether slavery was allowed within their borders. The Kansas-Nebraska Act worsened conflict between the North and South. This act violated the Missouri Compromise.
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/31a.asp) -
'Bleeding Kansas'
'Bleeding Kansas' was a period of violence and political confrontations that happened before the Civil War. The Kansas-Nebraska Act began the series of disputes. Both pro-slavery and free state settlers fought for control over Kansas.
(http://www.history.com/topics/bleeding-kansas) -
Brooks-Sumner Event
The Brooks-Sumner Event was significant because it led to more tension between the North and the South. Representative Preston Brooks of South Carolina violently attacked Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts with a cane. South Carolina voters believed that Brooks and Keitt were in the right, and Sumner was wrong.
(http://history.house.gov/HistoricalHighlight/Detail/35817) -
Dred Scott Decision
The United States Supreme Court declared that slave owners could take their slaves into the western territories. Dred Scott was a slave whose owner had spent some time in free territories. The Supreme Court stated that Dred Scott was not free based on residence, because he was not a person according to the U.S. Constitution.
(http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/dred-scott-decision) -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates were significant because both Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln brought up important topics. Lincoln utilized these debates to expand the moral quality of his position. These debates caused an important shift in the political character of Illinois.
(http://www.history.com/topics/lincoln-douglas-debates) -
John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry
This raid was significant because it only expanded the fears that the white South had of a slave rebellion. John Brown and his men collected a handful of hostages, some of which were slaves. The raid was unsuccessful, but it still had a large impact on the nation.
(http://www.history.com/topics/harpers-ferry) -
Election of 1860
The election of 1860 was significant because it caused the South to secede from the Union. The nominee for the Republican Party was Abraham Lincoln and the nominee for the Democratic Party was Stephen A. Douglas. Abraham Lincoln won the election, but did not win the popular vote.
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/32d.asp) -
Fort Sumter Is Fired Upon
This attack was significant because it was the battle that began the civil war. Fort Sumter was a continuing problem between the Union and Confederacy months before. Abraham Lincoln was elected as president, which increased tensions.
(http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fort-sumter-fired-upon) -
Secession of Southern States
The secession of the Southern states was significant because it completely divide the United States. The Confederate States of America were formed and the people elected Jefferson Davis as president. Abraham Lincoln supported the 13th amendment, which failed to get the required approval.
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/32e.asp)
