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The Missouri Compromise
In 1818, Maine was admitted to the United States as a "non-slavery" state. Slavery was debated a lot and in 1820, Missouri was admitted to the United States as a 'slave' state to make sure the power of the non-slavery states would be equaled to the slavery states. This is the "Balance of Power". -
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Causes of the Civil War
Important dates and events that lead to the United States Civil War. -
Nullification Crisis
The Tarriff of 1828 was passed on May 19, 1828. This tariff was designed to protect the industries of the north against the cheaper 'slave labor' cotton produced in the southern states. This tariff angered southern states, especially the legislators in South Carolina. Henry Clay, a US Senator, worked in Congress to have the "abomination" tariff gradually lowered. This helped keep the "supremacy" of the Federal Govenerment in tact but set the stage for the coming Civil War. -
"Gag Rule"
John Quincy Adams was a Representative from Massachusetts, was censured - or given the 'gag rule' because he was trying to present a petition to the House that would enable slaves to be treated as humans, and be given the same rights as 'freemen'. Angered by his 'abolitionist views', his peers moved to have him silented. It was so ordered on May 25, 1836. This 'gag rule' further split the pro-slave legislators from the anti-slave legislators. Southern states talk about cessession. -
The (David) Wilmot Proviso
Basically this "proviso" stated that any land/territory the US would receive from Mexico would not have any slavery anywhere in the property when it would be acquired. David Wilmot was more concerned about free trade and having California be a free state so buisnesess would not have to compete with 'slave labor' wages. He was not anti-slavery as much as he was pro-business and big money. He knew slave states have cheaper goods than non-slave states. It is a lot like China and Wal Mart now. -
Harriet Beecher Stowe begins "Uncle Tom's Cabin"
Harriet Beecher Stowe begins writing Uncle Tom's Cabin. Her book will be published in two years and will be one of the most significant pieces of literature to bring about the Civil War. -
Compromise of 1850
Basically, the "Compromise" was proposed by Henry Clay on Jan 29, 1850. The components of this compromise were basically that the new territories of New Mexico, Nevada and Arizona would not be slave nor free - they would be admitted without any slavery designation. California would be admitted as a free state. Knowing that the slave-states would be upset about the 'balance' of power, the Fugitive Slave Act was passed to pacify the slave states. War was at hand. -
"Uncle Tom's Cabin" is published
Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote a book that was very much anti-slavery. Her book sold over 300,000 copies. It is said that when President Abraham Lincoln met Ms. Stowe in 1862, he supposedly said to her "So this is the little lady who made this big war". Ms. Stowe's book shed light on the abuses of slavery and fanned the fuel of the Civil War more than any other one thing could have done. She did start the War by the truths people read about the horrors of slavery in her novel. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act is passed
This act, passed on May 30, 1854, allowed the people in Kansas and Nebraska to choose for themselves if they wanted slavery or not. Once the Act was passed, pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers rushed to move to Kansas. This was to help make sure the first election there was based on the majority vote - so obviously both sides wanted to win. The outcome of the first election was in favor of the pro-slavery but the vote was called and the results were not accepted. -
Brooks Sumner Incident
South Carolina Representative, Preston Brooks, was angered by a speech given by Senator Charles Sumner. In that speech, Sumner insults Senator Andrew Butler by calling him the "Don Quixote" of slavery. Several days after the speech, (on May 22, 1856) Brooks attacked Sumner in the Senate Chambers - and beat him to unconcsiousness with his cane. Sumner was so injured he could not return to the Senate for 4 years . Andrew Butler was Brook's uncle. Sumner became a hero to the anti-slavery cause -
Dred Scott Decision
This was a ruling by the US Supreme Court that basically stated any person of African descent was not protected by the US Constitution and therefore could never be a US Citizen. (It was a case brought by Dred Scott, a former slave, who wanted to apply for US citizenship). The Supreme Court has never officially overruled the Dred Scott Case. However, much of it was provided for in the 14th Amendment. -
Freeport Doctrine
During the 2nd presidential debate of Lincoln and Douglas, Abraham Lincoln was wanting to force Stephen A Douglas to make a statement (choice) between the idea of "popular sovereignty" like the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the US Supreme Court's rule (Dred Scott Decision). Douglas's answer (Freeport Doctrine) was that slavery could only exist if there ws a 'slave code'. If a State did not pass laws to protect slavery, they could not have slavery in that State. -
Harper's Ferry
John Brown wanted to seize the Federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry. He thought this was more direct than attacking piece mill from the mountains surrounding the area. His attack on the arsenal was seen as 'attacking the US Government' because it was the federal arsenal. Having been captured, Brown and his men were taken to Charlestown, VA. They were quickly tried and executed. His remarks during the trial about his 'righteous indignation' over slavery helped start the Civil War. -
Presidential Election of 1860
Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the Union. This victory of the Republicans (anti-slavery) resulted in the southern states succession from the Union and the beginning of the Civil War. This election was held at a time of national crisis for the people of the Union. He was inaugurated on 3/4/1861 and the war started in April at Fort Sumter. -
Kansas is admitted to the Union
Kanas was admitted to the Union on Jan 29, 1861. Because Congress did not recognize the first Constitution in Kansas (pro-slavery), the anti-slavery settlers outnumbered the pro-slavery settlers and a new constitution was written. Kansas was admitted to the Union as a free state. The Civil War was to begin soon. It was inevidable.
