The Union in Peril

Congress passes Compromise of 1850

Jan 29, 1850

North gained California as a free state and promised to enforce a new Fugative Slave Law. Also said members of the territory could vote on their own to see if the area would allow slavery or not.

California joins the Union

Sep 9, 1850

California quickly organizes to be eligible to join the union. Causes a lot of controversy over being admitted as a free state.

Franklin Pierce as President

Jan 20, 1852

Uncle Tom's Cabin published by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Mar 20, 1852

Story about the lives of slaves. Gives the North more reason to dislike slavery and angers the South.

Congress approves the Kansas-Nebraska Act

May 30, 1854

-Divides Nebraska territory into 2.
Repeals the Missouri Compromise line and establishes popular sovereignty.

James Buchanan is elected president

Jan 20, 1856

Democrat who was out of the country during the Kansas -Nebraska act. Allowed him to not be sided with either the North or the South over the issue.

Supreme Court rules against Dred Scott

Mar 6, 1857

Slaves did not have the rights as citizens.

Big Ben is cast in Britain

Apr 10, 1858

weighed 13.5 tons

John Brown attacks the arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia

Oct 16, 1859

He lead 21 men, both black and white into Harpers Ferry Virginia and wanted to sieze the federal arsenal.

Abraham Lincoln is elected president

Jan 20, 1860

The Confederacy is formed

Feb 4, 1861