The Nation Breaking Apart Timeline

By elizz15
  • Wilmot Proviso

    This bill aimed to outlaw slavery in territories taken from Mexico. The bill passed in the House of Representatives but was defeated in the Senate thus causing a division in Congress. Although, not a success it led to the formation of the Free Soil Party.
  • Compromise of 1850

    The Compromise of 1850 admitted California as a free state and abolished slave trade in Washington D.C.. Also, congress could not pass laws regarding slavery and pass a law to help slaveowners recapture runaway slaves.
  • Kansas-Nebraska Act

    The Kansas-Nebraska Act got rid of the Missouri compromise. It allowed people to vote for slavery in territories where the compromise had banned it.
  • "Bleeding Kansas"

    "Bleeding Kansas" was the key to the Republican rise. Many people blamed the violence on the Democrats.
  • Caning pf Sumner

    Sumner gave a speech full of insults attacking proslavery forces in Kansas. Hearing this, Brooks attacked Sumner hitting him with a cane more than 30 times on his head.
  • Dred Scott v. Sanford

    After his owner died, Scott sued for his freedom since he had lived in territores where slavery was illegal. The "Dred Scott v. Sanford" reached the Supreme Court.
  • Attack on Harpers Ferry

    Brown had planned to capture the weapons in the U.S. arsenal at Harpers Ferry. On October 16, 1859, Brown and 18 others, captured the arsenal. While killing four people, they send out the word to rally and arm local slaves. However, no slaves joined the fight.
  • Election of 1860

    The election of 1860 turned into 2 different races for presidency, one in the North and one in the South. The outcome of the election made it clear that the nation was tired of compromise. Lincoln defeated Douglas in the North. Because the North had more people in it, Lincoln won the election against the South.