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Industry vs. Farming
In the mid-1800s, the economies of many northern states had moved away from farming to industry. A lot of people in the North worked and lived in large cities -
States' Rights
The idea of states' rights was not new to the Civil War. Since the Constitution was first written there had been arguments about how much power the states should have versus how much power the federal government should have -
The Missouri Compromise
Missouri’s application for statehood as a slave state sparked a bitter national debate. In addition to the deeper moral issue posed by the growth of slavery, the addition of pro-slavery Missouri legislators would give the pro-slavery faction a Congressional majority. -
Slave and Free States Equal
Missouri is admitted to the Union as a slave state, but Congress agrees to forbid slavery in all other territory north of Missouri's southern border. With the addition of Missouri, the Union consists of twelve slave states and twelve free. -
Virginia Debates Slavery
On the heels of Nat Turner's violent rebellion, the Virginia legislature debates and rejects a bill to consider the gradual abolition of slavery. Some Southern whites worry that the uprising is a sign that slavery will only lead to bloodshed and is, therefore, not worth the danger. -
Congress Passes Gag Rule
Congress votes to table antislavery petitions, prohibit their publication, and censor any discussion or even mention of them on the floor. This is otherwise known as the gag rule. -
Texas Declares Independence
The Texas Declaration of Independence is enacted, creating the Republic of Texas . The U.S. government refuses to recognize Texas because it does not want to agitate sectional strife; abolitionists oppose Texas's admission to the Union because they know it will become a slave state. -
Texas Offered Statehood
The Congress passes a joint resolution offering to admit Texas to statehood after a long and bitter debate over the question of slavery. -
Potato Famine Immigration
The great potato famine in Ireland forces large numbers of Irish to emigrate. Many seek to begin a new life in the United States. -
U.S. Declares War on Mexico
The United States declares war on Mexico. -
Free Soil Party
Antislavery members of the Whig and Liberty parties join to form the Free Soil Party, which opposes the expansion of slavery into the newly acquired western territories. The party platform also calls for the federal government to provide free land to settlers in the West. -
Fugitive Slave Act
As a portion of the Compromise of 1850, a new—and much harsher—Fugitive Slave Act is passed. It strengthens the enforcement of the fugitive slave clause in the Constitution, makes the federal government responsible for the apprehension and return of all escaped slaves, and facilitates the job for slave catchers. -
Confederates Attack
Confederate forces attack Union troops stationed at Fort Sumter off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina. The Civil War begins.