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Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom´s Cabin, a novel by author Harriet Beecher Stowe, was published March 20th 1852. Stowe, descending from a upper class white family, wrote in descriptive detail about slavery, and its negative effects. This came as a surprise to many people in the South, due to the fact that it was written by a white female. and it discussed anti-slavery ideas. For many, this novel was a opinion changer, but for others it fueled their fire to own and fight for the right of slave ownership. -
Bloody Kansas
Bloody Kansas was the term used to describe the period of violence that occurred while the Kansas territory was being settled. Due to the Kansas-Nebraska Act overturning the Missouri Compromise, it was up to popular sovereignty to determine whether or not Kansas was going to be a free state or a slave slate, so each side was flooding into Kansas for control of the state and things got violent. -
Republican Party
This party formed to oppose of slavery. After the Whigs party ended, many former members who were anti slavery met in Wisconsin to form the party. Most of the republican party's supporters lived in the North, while people in the South didn't support its creation. In their first election they had won 11 of the 16 northern states. Forming the party created tension because the south felt threatened by the parties growing supports. South threatened succession if they won the 1860 election. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
On May 30, 1854, The Kansas-Nebraska Act was signed. This act ultimately gave the new states, Kansas and Nebraska, the ability to vote on whether or not slavery would be legal in their states. -
Election of 1856
Pierce was denied by the Democratic part, so the new nominee of the Democratic party, James Buchanan, went against Republican nominee John C. Fremont and American Party (know nothings) nominee Millard Fillmore. Buchanan won the election. He supported the idea of slavery which helped him gain the Souths support. This was the first election that voting was divided among the sectional lines. Both North and South had to elect a president which caused tension because they both have different beliefs. -
John Brown
John Brown led the abolitionists as both side fought for control. This heightened conflict about slavery led to more tension between the two sides and therefore to the Civil War. -
Brooks-Summer incident
Preston Brooks and Charles Sumner held a debate over whether or not slavery should continue to be legal. Sumner, from Massachusetts, argued that Kansas should become a non-slavery state, leading to him arguing the overall abolition of slavery. Brooks argued back his beliefs on pro-slavery, becoming more enraged as the debate carried on. This eventually lead to the beating of Sumner by Brook´s cane. This attack angered those from the North, and created more of a sense to fight back. -
LeCompton Constitution
One of four proposed constitutions for the state of Kansas. It was written by pro slavery people. The constitution protected slave holding and left out free blacks from the Bill of Rights. This constitution wanted to protect slavery and make Kansas a slave state; however, it was rejected by congress and the president. This would increase North and South tensions because it was still undecided if Kansas would allow slavery or not. Therefore, both sides continued to fight over the territory. -
Dred Scott
On March 6th, 1857, the Dred Scott decision took effect. Scott, a slave under the possession of a lifelong owner, fought for his freedom after his previous owner had died and his new owner moved to the North. When Scott´s new owner migrated North he was not granted freedom as he should have been. Scott took this up with the Supreme Court where he lost the case. This loss enraged the North, giving them more of a reason to feel the need to fight back. -
House Divided Speech
This speech was given by Abraham Lincoln to address the issues occurring ( the slave debate) which were tearing the nation apart. Because the nation was so divided many people thought a civil war would occur, which Lincoln addressed in his speech.He expressed how slavery would soon be made legal if something didn't change. Lincoln didn't think the country could remain divided which is why he gave the speech.Both sides were taken by the speech.Slavery was further argued which raised tensions. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
A series of seven debates between Abraham Lincoln, the Republican Party candidate, and Douglas, the Democratic Party candidate. Both debated about slavery. Lincoln believed slavery was bad and needed to end. He also went against Douglas's believe of popular sovereignty and said that it was false. Lincoln got approval by the Republican Party to run against Douglas in the next election. Douglas won.Lincolns lost would have angered anyone who opposed of slavery which continued to create tensions. -
Harper's Ferry
On October 16th, 1859, John Browne, as previously seen in the Pottawatomie Massacre, led a group of men to a U.S. military arsenal, also known as Harper´s Ferry. The purpose of this march was in hopes of starting a revolt. Unfortunately, the U.S. marines shut them down within 24 hours, forcing them to surrender. This being one of the last attempts to come to an agreement somewhat peacefully shot down all hopes, therefore raising the question of war in the future. -
Election of 1860
Abraham Lincoln, a candidate in the 1860 election, won both the popular and electoral vote by a landslide. Lincoln held very strong anti-slavery beliefs, therefore when he became president the South became very weary of what was to come. Due to the this, they saw their only option left to be war. -
South Carolina Secession
The southern states said if Lincoln won the presidency they would secede from the United States. They argued on states rights and felt the government could not interfere. South Carolina was the first to secede and was followed to create the Confederate states of America. The U.S. said this was unconstitutional and that they did not have a right to do it. They failed to compromise on what to do and ended in the beginnings of a civil war. -
Lincoln's 1st Inaugural Address
Lincoln had been elected president the previous November and gave his 1st Inaugural Address on March 4th, 1861. In his address he promised not to interfere with slavery where it already existed and said he would suspend the federal government's activities in areas where it was hostile. This slightly pleases the South, but angered the North. He also took a firm stance and said that the government would "hold, occupy, and possess" its property and collect its taxes.
