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Wilmot Proviso
This bill aimed to outlaw slavery in territories taken from Mexico. The bill passed in the House of Representatives but was defeated in the Senate thus causing a division in Congress. Although not a success, it led to the formation of the Free Soil Party. -
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Nation Breaking Apart Timeline
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Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 stated that California would be admitted as a free state and stronger laws would be enforced to recapture runaway slaves. It also addressed that it would not pass laws regarding slavery for the rest of the territories won from Mexico and that slave trade would be abolished in Washington D.C. It was believed to save the Union, but did not bring peace, thus creating more tension. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Under the Kansas-Nebraska Act, slavery was to be decided by residents vote also known as popular sovereignty, This act allowed voting for slavery in the area where Missouri Compromise banned it. When it becomes a law, it angers anti-slavery settlers, later resulting in "Bleeding Kansas". -
Bleeding Kansas
Due to the poor organization of the elections during 1855, proslavery and antislavery rushed into Kansas territory to vote for territorial legislation. Missourians also vote in the election illegally. When antislavery settlers form their own government while boycotting the official government, abolitionist John Brown retaliates by murdering five people who are proslavery. By doing this, a Civil War breaks out in Kansas, giving the territory the name,"Bleeding Kansas". -
Caning of Sumner
Senator Charles Sumner addressed a speech against proslavery forces in Kansas. Sumner also taunted A.P. Butler. Preston Brooks, a relative of Butler, attacked Sumner in the Senate, and the Southernrs cheered of Brooks' defense for the South. This event became a rallying cry for antislavery Northerners to form a new political party, -
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Dred Scott was a slave that sued for his freedom. HIs case later reaches Supreme Court, the Chief Justice being Roger B. Taney. The Supreme court argued that Scott was not considered a U.S. citizen and was bound by Missouri's slave code because he lived in Missouri. While the Southerners were cheerful about the verdict, Northerners looked to the Rupublican Party to stop the growing power of Southerners who owned slaves. -
Attack on Harpers Ferry
John Brown, already known for "bleeding Kansas", had a plan to inspire slaves to fight for his freedom. He planned to capture weapons in the U.S. arsenal at Harpers Ferry. Unfortunately, no slaves joined the fight, and U.S. Marines attacked and captured Brown with others. He was sentenced to hang. The reaction of the Northerners to his death terrifyed the South. This event pushed the United States more into sucession. -
Election of 1860
The candidates in the election were Abraham Lincoln and John Breckenridge. Lincoln won over the North, while Breckenridge won over the South. Abraham Lincoln recieved the most electoral and votes. When Lincoln is elected president, Southerners view the Republican victory as a threat to their way of life. Southerners thought Lincoln would abolish slavery, so they decided to secede.
