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The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was bills that were passed by the U.S. congress which defused the tension between slave states and free slave states -
The Fugitive Slave Act
This act made it required for White people to bring back runaway slaves, even if they were found in free slave states. This act also made the federal government responsible for finding, returning, and trying escaped slaves, if people were found hiding or helping the slaves run away they would be fined with a $500 dollar fee. $500 in 1850 is equivalent to about $20,211.60 today. -
'Uncle Tom's Cabin' Is Published
'Uncle Tom's Cabin' ran from June 5 1851 to April 1 1852. On March 20 1852 the novel was published. The author was Harriet Beecher Stowe, she wrote this book on anti-slavery. This novel had a profound effect on attitudes toward African Americans and slavery in the U.S. at the time. -
The Kansas‑Nebraska Act
The Kansas‑Nebraska Act was an act that created the territories Kansas and Nebraska. The act was drafted by Democratic Senator Stephen A. Douglas, and passed by the 33rd United States Congress. President Franklin Pierce signed the act into law. -
The Pottawatomie Massacre
The Pottawatomie Massacre occurred in the Kansas territory. The massacre's purpose was to rebel against the abolitionist John Brown. 5 people died in this massacre -
The Dred Scott Decision
The Dred Scott Decision started because the slave Dred Scott was previously brought into a free state slave and was still treated as an imprisoned slave. In 1857 the Supreme Court decided to uphold slavery in the U.S. territories, and denied Dred Scott and all African Americans legal citizenship in America. They also declared Missouri unconstitutional. -
John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry
The John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry was lead by abolitionist John Brown, the purpose of the raid was to initiate a slave revolt in Southern states. -
The Election of 1860
The candidates for this election were Lincoln, Douglas, Breckenridge, and Bell. Lincoln won in both the popular vote and the electoral vote. -
The Formation of the Confederacy
This confederacy was formed by South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. these states wanted to form a confederate government of sovereign and independent states. These southern states wanted to "preserve the institution of slavery" -
The Civil War
The war was between the Union and Confederate, it was the bloodiest war in American history. The main reason that started this war was moral issue of slavery, states' rights, but mostly the economics of slavery and political control of that system that was central to the conflict. This war lasted 4 years, between 620,000 and 750,000 soldiers died plus thousands of unfound soldiers. The Union side won which ended slavery, but the war continued for awhile after the Confederate side surrendered.