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Fugitive Slave Law
All slaves must be forcibly returned who have escaped from their original owners. All states are supposed to follow through with these laws. A reward is given for returned slaves, and fines are given for helping slaves. -
Wilmot Proviso
Designed to eliminate slavery within the land acquired as a result of the Mexican War. Since Mexico never had slavery, it was sought out to keep it from the land gained. -
31st Congress of 1849
Meeting of the legislative branch to hold secessions over Compromise of 1850, Fugitive Slave Act, and Donation Land Claim Act. -
Compromise of 1850
Four-year political confrontation between slave and free states regarding the status of territories acquired during the Mexican-American War. -
Harriet Tubman
Escaped the Fugitive Slave Law by fleeing and becoming a conductor to save other African Americans through the Underground Railroad. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel that changed how American's looked at slavery, and how they were treated as property rather than human beings. -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
Created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, opening new lands for settlement, and had the effect of repealing the Missouri Compromise of 1820 by allowing white male settlers in those territories to determine through popular sovereignty whether they would allow slavery or not. -
Bleeding Kansas 1856
Abolitionist John Brown led anti-slavery fighters in Kansas. 800 men came into the town of Lawrence and practically destroyed it, fighting over slavery. -
Beating of Senator Charles Sumner 1856
Representative Preston Brooks attacked Senator Charles Sumner with a cane two days after him giving an antislavery speech. -
The Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott, a slave, was taken up north right before his owner died. The owners wife came to get him, trying to say he was still her property. Scott went to sue her. It was taken to Supreme Court, where he was found guilty in not having the right because he was property. -
Harpers Ferry
Attempt by white abolitionist John Brown to start an armed slave revolt by raiding a federal armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia. -
Election of 1860
Controversial election between Lincoln, Breckinridge, Douglas, and Bell who were all belonging to different political parties. Lincoln wins majority vote. -
South Carolina Secedes from the Union
South Carolina tries to become their own country because they do not like the fact that President Lincoln wants to stop the spread of slavery. Other southern states also join them, and Civil War breaks out between splitting the country and staying together.
