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Missouri Compromise
In 1819 Missouri requested to become a state but the government didn't know whether or no to admit it as a free or slave state. They eventually admit it as a slave state and admitted Maine as a free state. 1)The Missouri Compromise was passed as law by James Monroe. 2)The Missouri Compromise was devised by Henry Clay the United States Senator from Kentucky. Southerner didn’t like this law because it proved that congress could make laws regarding slavery. -
Nat Turner Rebellion
In August of 1831 a group of 60 armed slaves, lead by Nat Turner, revolted against the slave owners. Going on for 48 hours they ended up killing 65 people.1)Nat believed he was a messenger of God. 2)After the rebellion Nat went into hiding and was undiscovered for two months. After this event southerners became more worried about a slave uprising and started being stricter putting new laws in effect that were meant to prevent what happened from happening again. -
Nullification Crisis
A confrontation between the state of South Carolina and the federal government over the state's attempt to declare the federal Tariffs of 1828 and 1832 null and void within the state. 1)The Doctrine of Nullification was introduced by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson in 1798 and 1799. 2)The tariffs favored the manufacturing North. Southern extremists used the nullification doctrine and threatened to succeed if a law went against slavery. -
Compromise of 1850
California entered the Union as a free state slave trade in Washington DC was abolished, the Fugitive slave act was amended. 1) Originally proposal was presented by Kentucky Senator Henry Clay. 2)The debate lasted nine months. This compromise didn't solve the debate and only intensified it. -
Fugitive Slave Act
Forced citizens to help recapture runaway slaves. Passed as part of the Compromise of 1850.1)Any Federal marshal or other official who did not arrest an alleged runaway slave subject to a fine of $1,000. 2) It denied suspected runaway slaves of the right to jury trials. This angered abolitionists because, it made it a lot harder to help slaves and end slavery. -
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin to depict the brutality on the slaves. It was very successful and swayed the opinions of Northern Free-Soilers. 1)300,000 copies were sold during its first year. 2) 1 million copies were sold in England. Slave owners discredited it calling it abolitionist propaganda and censored it. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
A law that allowed new territories to decide whether it was a free or slave state based on popular sovereignty. Supporters of both sides rushed to settle Kansas.1)The Act was proposed by Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois. 2)Established Kansas and Nebraska as separate territories. Pro and Anti slavery groups went to Kansas fought each other to gain control. -
“Bleeding Kansas”
After the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed Pro slavery and Anti slavery groups rushed to Kansas. Since its role as a free or slave state is determined by popular sovereignty. This lead to bloody confrontations.1) 2) -
Brooks Attacks Sumner
Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts was giving a speech about the events of "Bleeding Kansas" targeting South Carolina's Senator Andrew Butler. When South Carolina's representative Preston Brooks heard this he attacked Sumner two days later with his cane.1)Brooks was fined $300 and expelled from the house. 2)Sumner was so traumatized that, he stayed away from the senate. This showed that the violence from Kansas influenced the legislature. -
Dred Scott v. Sanford
Dred Scott, as an African American, was denied rights and citizenship in this court case. Which also declared the Missouri Compromise Unconstitutional. 1)Prevented hims from suing because it lacked jurisdiction 2) . Abolitionists were outraged because this decision supported the South and slavery. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
A series of debates between Democratic senator Stephen A. Douglas and Republican challenger Abraham Lincoln. They focused on slavery. 1)They were running for a Senate seat. 2)Lincoln lost the debates. These debates only continued enforcing the issue of slavery by making it the focus of their campaigns. -
Raid on Harpers Ferry
Abolitionist John Brown leads a small group on a raid against a federal armory in Harper's Ferry, Virginia, in an attempt to start an armed slave revolt and destroy slavery. they were stopped by a group of US Marines. 1)John Brown was also involved in "Bleeding Kansas". 2) Before his execution, he handed his guard a slip of paper that read, “I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood.” -
Election of 1860
An election that focused on the issue of slavery more than anything else. Lincoln, the Republican Candidate, won and this was the last straw for southerners. 1)Lincoln won mainly because of his position on slavery. 2) the southern vote was split preventing either of their candidates from winning.
