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Tariff of 1828
-South Carolina felt the Tariff of 1828 that imposed a tax on foreign goods was unjust and decided to nullify it in their state. President Andrew Jackson was determined to impose the tariff in every state and was firm against the decision of South Carolina to secede from the union. This was one of the first events that foreshadowed the civil war. -
Manifest Destiny
After the annexation of Texas, John L. O'Sullivan wrote about a God granted right given to the Americans to colonize the whole continent. This led to beliefs of superiority over others, mostly determined by color. This feeling led to many injustices committed mostly over african americans and that was something not all agreed on. -
Compromise of 1850
Set of laws that determined the slavery status of the territories gained in the Mexican-American War. Admitted California as a free state and left the other states to determine slavery status through popular sovereignty. This led to many attempts to prevent people from voting causing greater differences between North and South. -
Popular Sovereignty
Senator Stephen A. Douglas proposed a political doctrine where people in state vote for or against slavery and majority wins. This led to war because it created
disputes to prevent other from voting. -
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe’s fictional work described the horrors of slavery and opened the eyes of many who remained untouched by the inhumanity towards innocent people. This led to war because it widen the division between North and South regarding what was the right thing to do. -
”Bleeding Kansas”
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 stated that settlers in the territories could decide whether slavery was permitted or not. The attempts to prevent the opposing people to vote turn to be very extreme and violent. This actions of violence shocked and troubled the nation. -
Dred Scott vs. Sanford
Dred Scott was a slave from Virginia who tried to sue for his freedom in court after his owner died. The Supreme Court ruled that Scott was just a piece of property and that he had no legal rights. This led to war because it proved that injustices were being committed towards african americans. -
John Brown at Harpers Ferry
An extreme african american abolitionist who killed many people during bleeding Kansas. Brown also seized a US arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia, but was caught before he was able to supply a slave rebellion. This event led southerners to fear for their security in the union. -
Abraham Lincoln’s Election
With Lincoln’s election in 1860, Southerners fear a disturbance in their traditional way of living. As a anti-slavery advocate, the South believed, Lincoln would impose radical changes on them and they did not feel secure staying in the union. Soon after Lincoln’s election Southern states started to secede the union. -
Battle at fort Sumter
Near Charleston harbor, Confederate forces opened fire on the Union and with this war was declared.
