The Freeway to Freedom timeline | Timetoast Timelines

Mar 14, 1793

The Invention of the Cotton Gin

The cotton gin, made in 1793, was made by Eli Whitney. This invention greatly increased the amount of cotton production per day. With this machine, increased the amount of slaves needed to pick the cotton and run the machines.
Mar 3, 1820

Missouri Comprimise

This "treaty" caused the slave states and the non slave states to be separated. What consisted between the east's north and south, there was still some states that were not included in either "side". This compromise later caused problems regarding who had more power.
Period: Jan 1, 1828 to Nov 24, 1832

Tariff of 1828 & Nullification Crisis

Henry clay published a tariff that was lower than the previous "Tariff of Abominations," but still unacceptable to the southerners because it is still too high. The South Carolina Ordinance of Nullification made it so there was no tariff. However, this ordinance wasn't in favor or President Jackson.
Jan 31, 1831

The Liberator is Published

The newspaper that was the voice of abolitionism. Seen by thousands of individuals worldwide, expressed the abolitionist beliefs in a passive but way to be heard. Along the newspaper, he also created the New England Anti-Slavery Society.
Period: Aug 21, 1831 to Oct 21, 1831

Nat Turner's Rebellion

Nat Turner, a slave, believed in signs from the gods. Convinced from the eclipse of the sun, he thought it was time to fight back. He then got 75 slaves in a group to kill the slaveowners. After hiding for 6 weeks, he was then hung, and caused harsher laws for slaves.
Period: Nov 1, 1832 to Feb 1, 1833

Bleeding Kansas

Bleeding Kansas is the term used to described the period of violence during the settling of the Kansas territory. Pro-slavery and Free-State went to Kansas to change the vote. Fights started as both sides fought for their views.
Period: 1841 to 1863

The Underground Railroad

A network of people, mostly African American,
who offered shelter and aid to help escaped slaves.
Not an actual tunnel, a known helper was Harriet Tubman.
The Railroad helped many slaves,
but came to a halt when the Civil War occurred.
Feb 2, 1848

Wilmot Proviso

Designed to eliminate slavery as a result of the Mexican war. This amendment was later added to the bill. The addition of this amendment sparked the controversy over slavery, which has been thought to bring together the basis of the Republican Party.
Jan 29, 1850

Compromise of 1850

There are 5 laws in the Compromise. In 1849, California requested permission to enter the Union. January 29, 1850, There was an attempt to seek a compromise and prevent a crisis between North and South.
Mar 20, 1852

Uncle Tom's Cabin Is Published

Harriet Beecher Stowe writes an anti-slavery novel called "Uncle Toms's Cabin" The novel then proceeded to sell 300,000 copies within three months. This big event caused Stowe to meet Abraham Lincoln.
May 30, 1854

Kansas-Nebraska Act

The Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed by the U.S. Congress. It allowed people in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves if they wanted slaves in their borders. The Act was used to repeal the Missouri Compromise.
May 22, 1856

Brooks-Sumner Event

Senator Charles Sumner was an Abolitionist and leader of the Republican Party. Charles Sumner said a speech that went on for two days. Senator Butler began to beat Senator Sumner with a gold-tipped cane two days after the speech.
Period: Aug 21, 1858 to Oct 15, 1858

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

Some the most influential people of their time period and era. They debated on slavery issues. They both took their arguments to the people
Oct 16, 1859

John Brown's raid on the Harper Ferry

John Brown leads a 5-man group on a raid against an armory in Harper's Ferry. They killed five men with broad swords. One of Brown’s sons was killed in the fighting.
Apr 1, 1860

Election of 1860

The Democrats met in Charleston, South Carolina, to select their candidate. Lincoln had become the symbol of the frontier, hard work, the self-made. His debates with Douglas had made him a national figure.
Nov 6, 1860

Election of 1860

Abraham Lincoln and John C. Breckenridge were favorites for the election. Abraham won the election by a landslide. Lincoln had 180 votes to Breckenridge's 72
Apr 12, 1861

Fort Sumter Is Shot Upon

Originally an island fortification located in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, was shot on after a 34 hour exchange of artillery fire. This caused Anderson and his 86 soldiers to surrender. Fort Sumter was later restored by the US Military and manned during the Spanish American War.
May 9, 1865

Succession of Southern States

[ The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 was the end for many southerners. They felt that he wanted to ignore states rights and stop slavery. Before it was all over, eleven states seceded from the Union.]