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Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was an act that banned slavery in any future territories from north of Missouri. This was a temporary end to the slavery debate in the states. From that point on any states north of the Missouri Territory would be free states until the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed in 1854. -
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was an organization for enslaved people who wanted to seek out freedom. In doing this everything must be kept secret. “The Underground Railroad” is a pseudonym for that organization to throw off outsiders in case they ever heard about it. Harriet Tubman is the most known conductor or leader of The Underground Railroad;She helped free about 70 enslaved people from slavery. -
"Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass'
Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass is a memoir about Douglass’ experience as a slave. When he wrote this book he was a former slave and escaped slavery dressed as a sailor on a train. The memoir explains the struggles of being a slave and just how your life goes being enslaved to educate people who don’t really know what it means. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act repealed the Missouri Compromise and let voters between the Kansas and Nebraska territories choose whether or not to be a slave state, decided by popular sovereignty. This caused the violent acts of Bleeding Kansas. The Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed by President Franklin Pierce and written by Stephen A. Douglas. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 stated that if any slave who has escaped should be caught, they must return to their original slaveholder;the person who caught the slave cannot keep the slave for himself. If an enslaved person escaped and made it to a free state they also must return to their slaveholder. -
Dred Scott v Sandford
Dred Scott was a slave who lived in a free state at the time. Scott escaped and tried to sue his slaveholder but failed as the courts didn’t see him as a US citizen because he was African American and they told him it wouldn’t matter because slavery was not completely abolished in the free states. This case was proven to be unconstitutional in the supreme court because of that. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates were involving very controversial topics. Lincoln wanted to abolish slavery in the Us, while Douglas wanted to nationalize slavery. Just like today, everyone had their sides and opinions about political debates. Some people even believe this was the main cause for moving toward the Civil War. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation stated that all enslaved people at the time shall be set free or emancipated. This was issued by President Abraham Lincoln, as he was not a fan of slavery in the US. This repealed any laws enforcing slavery in the past, like The Fugitive Slave Act. Lincoln said “It is my greatest and most enduring contribution to the history of the war.” (referring to the Emancipation Proclamation). -
Civil War (Begin Date)
The American Civil War was a war between the US Union and Confederacy or the North and the South. The Civil War was started mainly because of people's views on slavery. The war lasted for just over 4 years and had the greatest impact on the US compared to other wars occurring on the land. The war ended with the Union or the North’s victory who wanted to abolish slavery. -
13th Amendment;Abolition
The 13th amendment abolished slavery in the US, following the civil war. Abolition led the way for former slaves to start a new life as a free person;However they were not legal citizens of the US at this point, that would happen 3 years later in the 14th amendment. This meant that there would be no involuntary servitude amongst African Americans.