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The Introduction of Wilmot Proviso
A Congress man named David Wilmot of Pennsylvania, introduced a very controversial amendment that banned slavery in the territories gained from the Mexican-American War. The billed made it passes and approved by the House, that was controled by Northerners preventing the expansion of slavery, but failed in the Senate, by the Southerners who saw it as a direct threat. By this occuring it highlight's the divide that keeps growing between the North and the South, over slavery. (McPherson 53). -
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The Road to the Civil War
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The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850, figured out how to admit California as a state. It admitted California as a free state but intro a new fugitive slave law. The law required the return of all enslaved people even if they are residing in a free state. This was significant because it introduced the creation of U.S. Marshalls whos job was to locate and return slaves to their owners, after being presented to a tribunal. The Compromise easied tensions briefly but angered Northern Abolistionists. (Varon 233). -
Party Politics and the Election of 1852
The election of 1852, showed the growing instability of the two-party system. The Democrates nominated a Northerner, Franklin Pierce who supported slavery. He easily defeated his competitor, the Whigs canadate General Winfield Scott. The Whigs quickly fell apart and anti-slavery Northerners created the Republican Party. This is significant because it showed that the country couldn't be held together even by the political parties. (Varon 248). -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe who was an abolitionist that supported the Underground Railroad. Her book critized slavery, not just blaming the South but everyone. The South did not support the book going to length of banning the book and punishing anyone who owns it. They also countered and wrote contridicting books about the pro's of slavery. The book was significant because it drove a deeper moral divison about slavery. (McPherson 88). -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act, stemed from the question of if the state should be a free or slave state. Senator Stephen Douglass, proposed and put in place, the idea of popular sovereignty, where the states can decide. This led to major divide, due to many abolistionist and pro-slavery people moved to the states to try and make the state free or not. Right before the Civil War started Kansas became a free state. (Verone 251). -
The Caning Attack on Charles Sumner
Charles Sumner, a Senate from Massachusetts, was an abolitionist who gave the "Crime Against Kansas" speech. During his speech he called out Senator Andrew Butler and Representative Preston Brooks, who happened to be cousins. Sumners speech angered the two and led Brooks to beat Sumner with his cane. In response to this event the North wanted him arrested and punished, while the South thought it was warented and praised Brooks. (Verone 268). -
The Panic of 1857
The Panic of 1857 was a financial crisis that heavily affected the North. Many industrical and manufacturing companies became bankrupt and experienced job losses due to the economic crisis. The South was barely affected due to their exportation of cotton, leading to continuous flurishment. Due to the South hardly being affected and the North being heavily affected it contributed and put more annimosity on the growing divide. (McPherson 189). -
Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas's Debate
The Lincoln-Douglas debate was a series of seven debates, during the Illinois race for Senate. The debate was heavily focused on the expansion of slavery. Lincoln was against slavery, whereas his opponent Douglas was pro-slavery. Due to that it gained national attenion and highlighted the growing divide throughout the nation. This event was also significant because it set the stage for Lincolns campaign for presidency. (McPherson 183). -
John Brown and the Raid in Harpers Ferry
John Brown was an abolitionist, who believes that he is in direct communication with God, and that God is telling him that slavery is immoral. He moved to Kansas and went on night raids killing pro-slavery supporters. He moved to Harpers Ferry, VA, and launched and lead a revolt. His raid that failed very quickly. Brown ended up being captured, put on trial, and convicted to be executed in a matter of a couple weeks. This furthered the tensions between the North and South. (Varon 326) -
The Election of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was elected the sixteenth president, and marked a turning point in history. Lincoln ran as a Republican candidate who was against slavery. He won the race with the support of the North and without recieving a single popular vote in any of the Southern states. When he was elected, the South saw it as a direct threat to their expansion of slavery. The election showed how political division and the fear of slaverys future brought uncertainty. (McPherson 248).