-
Northwest Ordinance (Red line and Event:Social/political)
This Ordinance/agreement changed the 10 Northwest districts into a single territory, that was allowed to apply for statehood once it reached a population of 60,000 or more. In this new territory there were many guaranteed rights including, freedom of religion, prohibition of slavery, and the right to trial by jury. This new territory was eventually changed into 3-5 territories. -
Missouri Compromise (Green Line and Event: Political
The was a bill that was inspired from the Maine and Missouri proposals in an attempt to please both the North and the South. This bill stated that Maine would become a free state and Missouri would become a slave state. Then, Senator Jesse Thomas of Illinois formed an amendment that made slavery prohibited in the rest of the Louisiana Purchase territory that was above the southern border of Missouri (36°30′ line). -
Nat Turner Rebellion (Red Line and Event:Social)
This rebellion was started by Nathaniel Tuner and a small group of African Americans when they broke into Benjamin Travis's house, killing him and his family. They then started to travel toward Jerusalem, Va to capture the armory at the count seat, killing sixty people on their way. Him and sixteen of his followers weren't captured until 6 weeks later when they were found in Dismal Swamp. After they capture they were executed, and slave owners became scared of violent acts from slaves again. -
Gag Rule (Red Line and Event:Political)
The Gag Rule was proposed by James Hammond in 1836. This rule forbade the House of representatives from discussing the issue of slavery for 20 years. This was because of the large shortage in cotton production. The proposal was then added to by Henry L. Prickney saying that any petitions or resolutions that regarded the issue of slavery were to be tabled automatically. Many people opposed this rule including John Quincy Adams, because they believed it restricted freedom of speech. -
Amistad Case (Red Line and Event:Political)
During this event hundreds of slaves in Africa were captured by Portuguese slave hunters. The slaves were then illegally sold in Cuba to be put into slavery. These slaves started to fight back and eventually took control of the Amistad, bringing it to Long Island Long Island where they were seized by naval officers, who brought them to the U.S District Court in Hartford, Ct. They concluded they be returned to Africa, since they were captured illegally, until the Supreme Court upheld the ruling. -
Annexation of Texas (Red Line and Event:Political)
Mexico wanted Americans to move into Texas territory, so they could be in between Mexico and the local Indian tribes. This idea was heavily encourage by Stephen Austin who created many different centers of power in Mexico. These centers of power would eventually lead to the annexation of Texas from Mexico. Sam Houston, president of this region, wanted Texas admitted into the Union. Which i was in 1845, even though the North opposed, because they didn't want a new slave state for many reason. -
Mexican War (Red Line and Event:Political and Economic)
There were multiple disputed territories between the U.S and Mexico, so then president James Polk had John Slidell make an offer for the territories. This offer was rejected leading Polk to send a Texan army across the Neuces River to the Rio Grande. After multiple months Mexico finally led an attack on the U.S troops at the Rio Grande. The U.S eventually was able to gain California and New Mexico after resolving conflict with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. -
Wilmot Proviso (Red Line and Event:Political)
The Wilmot Proviso was an amendment that was proposed by David Wilmot. This was to Appropriation Bill, which was a bill where the U.S purchased land for $2 million from Mexico. This amendment would prohibit slavery in any new territories acquired from Mexico, and was passed by the House, but not by the Senate. It was defeated because of Southerns beliefs that territories should allow equal rights to all (allow southerns to move their property/slaves). -
California Gold Rush (Red Line and Event:Economic)
The California Gold Rush led to many different events occurring, including the population being increased drastically, allowing California to become a state (free), and Chinese immigrants coming to America. It also led to a labor shortage, which caused the harsh and open mistreatment of Native Americas, starting the large and continuous stream of immigrants to America. The Gold Rush didn't only attract immigrants, migrants from around the country traveled to California as well (49ers). -
Compromise of 1850 (Red Line and Event:Political)
This compromise was proposed by Henry Clay, who wanted to add five new laws that would resolve issues of slavery and territorial expansion. These laws included, California be admitted as a free state, a new fugitive state law, for slave trade to be abolished in the District of Columbia, no restrictions on slavery and territorial governments in land acquired from Mexico. Multiple arguments arose from this proposal, proving further that tensions between the North and South were out of hand. -
Fugitive Slave Act (Red Line and Event:Social and Political)
The Fugitive slave Act of 1850 was created because the fugitive slave Act of 1793 and the Fugitive slave clause were widely opposed. This new act was created in inclusion with the Compromise of 1850, stating that runaway slaves were required to return to their owners and if they didn't then the federal government had to find, capture, and return the slaved to their owners. This was created by the South in an attempt to get the Northern States to follow the law. -
Publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin (Red Line and Event:Social)
This novel was published in 1852 by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It was an anti-slavery book that talked about many of the most restrictive enacted slave laws. This book was so moving and powerful that it changed many Americans views on Slavery. -
Ostend Manifesto (Red Line and Event:Political
This occurred because U.S president Franklin Pierce put in many efforts to purchase Cuba from Spain, all failing. This led to Osterid, Belgium issuing a private declaration stating that the U.S would have reason to seize Cuba from Spain. This obviously led to turmoil, especially with antislavery northerners, because they believed this new acquisition of Cuba would bring a new slave state to the Union. Even the South disagreed because it was against their slave system, made it unsuccessful. -
K-N Act (Red Line and Event:Political)
This was a proposal from Stephen A. Douglas about organizing the Nebraska territory. His proposal stated that, it would divide the territory between Nebraska and Kansas, territorial legislatures would determine if it would be free or slave state, and it would repeal the Missouri Compromise. Both Norther's and Southerns disagreed with this proposal, the North because it was repealing the Missouri Compromise, and the South because they could both become free states. -
Bleeding Kansas (Red Line and Event:Social)
This started in 1855 when Missouri citizens went into Kansas, and were considered residents permitting them to vote, they even stuffed the ballot boxes with fake ballots. Leading to a vast majority of pro-slavery men being voted into legislature. This caused a new anti-slavery government to be formed in Lawrence, Kansas. This caused many battles and violent events to occur between the two governments in Kansas, the pro-slavery and anti-slavery, until it ended in 1861. -
Dred Scott Decision (Red Line and Event:Political)
This occurred after Dred Scott became a free man after his owner died, and he was brought to live in a free territory. Scott then filed a lawsuit against his previous masters wife for his full freedom, which the court gave him. Scott kept his freedom until John Sandford claimed he owned Scott, and brought it to the Supreme Court. The Supreme court ruled in favor of Sandford because Scott wasn't a citizen and couldn't bring up the case. This decision rose tension between the North and South. -
John Brown and the Raid on Harpers Ferry (Red Line and Event:Social and Political
John Brown wanted to from a slave insurrection in the South. His idea was to seize a mountain fortress in Harpers Ferry, Virginia. John Brown and 18 followers achieved their goal of seizing the the fortress until they were attacked by Robert E. Lee and many U.S troops. This attack left 10 of Brown's men dead and left him no choice but to surrender. Leading to Brown and 6 of his followers to be sentenced to death after being tried for treason.l -
Crittenden Compromise (Red Line and Event:Political)
This was a compromise proposed by John J. Crittenden, that reinstated the Missouri Compromise, and extended it all the way across the country. This would've solved issued of slavery in Washington D.C, fugitive slaves, and would guarantee the existence of slavery. It also would've appeased the South and lowered tension. There was also a clause in the compromise that stated it couldn't be changed or repealed. At first the proposal was accepted, until Congress rejected it shortly after.
