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Florida admitted as a slave state
Florida was admitted to the Union on the last day of Tyler's presidency as a slave state. This was praised highly by Floridian Democrats, but was a point of contention for people in the North. Not only did Florida's admission increase the number of slave states, but it also added fuel to the fire as it increased anger in the North (historyengine.richmond.edu). -
Mexican-American War begins
The Mexican-American War begins in 1846 intially as a response to the United States' annexation of Texas. The War is relatively short-lived and entirely sucessful for the Americans - by the end of the war, they have enormous territorial gains. However, this new territory would lead to huge issues later; the issue of whether the new territories should allow slavery or not would further split the nation. -
Oregon Treaty
This treaty settles the disputed Oregon Territory between the United States and United Kingdom, effectively splitting the territory into a Northern British territory and Southern US territory. Even though the treaty was passed and conflict was avoided, this increased tensions because some people argued that much more was being done to expand in the North than the South. -
Wilmot Proviso
Proposed law that would have banned slavery in all of the new territories gained in the Mexican-American War. Passed by the House of Representatives, but denied in the Senate due to the Southern Democrats. Even thuogh this provision never becomes law, it creates tension and anger between North and South. -
California Gold Rush
Gold was found at Sutter's Mill by James Marshall in Coloma, California on January 24, 1848. The finding of gold leads to a huge growth in population, leading California to be eligible to become a state. This leads to obvious tensions between states and the admission of California permanently throws off the balance between slave states and non-slave states. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 led to the admission of California as a free state, banned the slave trade in D.C., and the Wilmot Proviso was trashed and replaced with popular soveriegnty in the Utah Territory and New Mexico Territory. This c ompromise led to a lot of future problems for the Union: not only was the balance of slave states and non-slave states thrown off, but the contention and argumentative nature of the "compromise" was a huge step in leading towards the Civil War. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin published
A highly confrontational and contentious novel with a major theme of slavery. This book greatly angers many in the South and furthers stereotypes of African Americans. Some in the south call the book 'utterly false." -
Gadsden Purchase
A major territorial gain for the United States, the Gadsden Purchase adds territory in Arizona and New Mexico. Originally bought to expand a railroad, many pro-slavery settlers settle in the area. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act signed into law
This act stated that popular sovereignty would rule over whether the territory of Kansas-Nebraska would allow slavery or not. Becomes an obvious point of argument, and leads to "Bleeding Kansas" - a period of bloodhsed in Kansas between pro-slave and anti-slavery settlers. -
Republican Party Founded
The Republican Party, the party which "replaced" the Whig Party, becomes the Great Rival to the already-established Democratic Party. Abraham Lincoln becomes a party frontrunner by 1860. -
Sacking of Lawrence
Town of Lawrence, Kansas, is burned by pro-slavery Missourians who oppose the town's founding on anti-slavery grounds. This event makes Bleeding Kansas worse. -
Preston Brooks Beating
Preston Brooks, a South Carolina Senator, beats Senator Sumner of Massachusetts in a slavery argument. This event, much like the others listed in 1856, becomes a symbollic instance of North/South tensions as well as a precursor to the War. -
John Brown Massacre
John Brown and sons massacre five settlers in Kansas in response to the Sacking of Lawrence. This event is symbollic of a larger problem and Bleeding Kansas in general. Considered one of the worst events of Bleeding Kansas, and a general precursor to the Civil War as a whole. -
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Landmark Supreme Court decision that decides Dred Scott, as property, has no right to sue in federal court. His case is thus considered moot. Later becomes arguably the most contentious decision in the Supreme Court's history. -
Abraham Lincoln wins election
Lincoln wins the Election of 1860 and becomes the first Republican President of the United States. His administration will ultimately become the Civil War administration, and his (arguable) anti-slavery positions make him incredibly unpoopular in the South.
