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Bacon's Rebellion
The main labor force once came from indentured servants, people who were given land in the new world in exchange for timed servitude. The land was near Native Americans. As a result, they began to attack white settlements. When Gov. Berkeley disagreed to retaliate, Nathaniel Bacon led a group of settlers (most indentured servants) in a rebellion against the Gov. This led to the civil war because it caused white settlers to turn to slavery to after witnessing the trouble of indentured servitude. -
Invention of Cotton Gin
The separation of seeds from cotton once was one of the most laborious duties of slaves. This task often took several hours and several slaves for scant progress. Eli Whitney's cotton gin revolutionized the separation of seeds from cotton, making it possible for one slave to perform the job of several slaves in less time. As a result, the South's economy became dependent on cotton production, and the demand for slaves increased, upsetting the north. This led to the Civil War. -
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
The Kentucky and Virginia resolutions were written by T. Jefferson & J. Madison, adopted on 11/10/1798 and 12/24/1798, respectively, in protest against the Alien and Sedition Acts, arguing that states had the right to declare a law unconstitutional. These resolutions were cited by John C. Calhoun during the "Nullification Crisis" and when SC seceded the Union before the civil war. In short, they led to the civil war because their interpretation caused a dilemma over state vs federal authority. -
Missouri Compromise
The MO Compromise was proposed by H. Clay when MO applied for statehood as a slave state. The North greatly opposed MO's desire, as it would unbalance Senate. In response, the compromise entered MO as a slave state and ME as a free state. In addition, it stated that all future states in the LA Territory above the 36'30 line would be free and all below would be slave. This led to the Civil War because it created a "firebell in the night" by making the division between the North and South obvious. -
Treaty of Guadalupe HIdalgo
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed by Villa de Guadalupe Hidalgo, ended the MX vs U.S war. It accepted the Rio Grande as the border between MX and the U.S, gave the U.S money, but one of the most significant rewards for the U.S was land, which was the greatest acquisition of land since the LA Purchase. However, this new territory was not complete beneficial to the U.S. The treaty led to the Civil War by creating a feud between the North and South on the status of future admitted states. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was the last compromise before the Civil War. To satisfy the North, the expansion of slavery was stopped by admitting CA as a free state. To satisfy the South, the Fugitive Slave Act, which made the govt. responsible for returning runaway slaves, was strengthened, now forcing everyone into participating. The FSA enraged the North because it reduced the ways of helping slaves. This led to the Civil War because by forcing everyone to join, the idea of abolitionism spread. -
Publication of UncleTom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe was published in 1852. It sold over 300,000 copies in the first year of publication. The book spread nationwide. This upset both the South and the North. The book angered the South because it gave an "unrealistic" view on what they called their "Peculiar Institution". The book enraged the North after giving it a glimpse on what life under slavery was like. This publication led to the Civil War by spreading a nationwide horrifying image of slavery. -
Kansas - Nebraska Act
The Kansas Nebraska Act diminished the Missouri Compromise by allowing popular sovereignty to determine state status. The apparently good idea, caused people from both the North and South to rush to these states. Bribery was used in order to try and buy the votes of the people in those areas. This act led to the civil war because it allowed for the two groups to be in the same territory, competing for the same votes. It wasn't long until violence arose between the two groups. -
John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry
On October 16, 1859, abolitionist John Brown, along with 21 followers, attacked Harper's ferry, a U.S arsenal as an attempt to rally an armed slave rebellion. His plan did not succeed. It was crushed by Colonel Robert E Lee and Lieutenant J. E. B. Stuart, however, the damage was done. This attack made it clear that violence would be the only way to solve this problem. This attack led to the Civil War because it ultimately ended all hope for a peaceful resolution of slavery. -
Election of 1860
The Election of Abraham Lincoln was the final stroke for the South. Lincoln was against slavery; he wished to free the slaves. This brought fear to the South, fear of being stolen from their way of life. The deep south did not vote for him. In fact, only 40% of the population voted for him. However, he won 59% of the electoral votes, giving him presidency. Lincoln's victory led to the civil war because it caused SC to secede from the Union on Dec. 20, 1860 and 6 more states soon after.
