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Wilmot Proviso
This is a bill that tried to prhibit slavery in the new territories in the Mexican Cession. It was important, because it became famous as a first attempt to prohibit slavery in a state, but it failed to be passed in Congress. -
Compromise of 1850
3 men: John Quincy Adams, John C. Calhoun, and Daniel Webster wrote this compromise to keep the balance of free states with slave states equal. It was important, because it managed to keep the states balanced before the Civil War -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
This is a novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe that described life as a slave. This is important, because this made tensions rise between the South and the North. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This act nullified the Missouri Compromise by letting territories in the North vote for slavery or not. It was important, because people were flooding in from both sides of the country with their votes -
Bleeding Kansas
This was like a small scale civil war with abolitionists and slave owners over slavery issues. It was important, because there was a new battle cry for Northerners and Republicans. -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott, a slave, went to Supreme Court to sue for freedom. The court ruled that he could not sue, because he is an African American. This is important, because this increased tension between the North and South. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
In 1858, Lincoln and Douglas were running for senator of Illinois, but Lincoln lost. This is important, because Lincoln became famous for saying that slavery is wrong, but legal. -
Harper's Ferry
John Brown started a raid on a federal arsenal in order to start a slave revolt. It is important, because he became a known for his abolitionist cause. -
Election of 1860
Lincoln and 3 other candidates were running for president, with Lincoln winning. It is important, because when Lincoln was elected, South Carolina had seceded from the Union. -
Fort Sumter
This is the first "battle of the civil war". Union supplies sent to the fort made the Confederates fight them, because they had to pass through their territory to get to the fort. This was important, because this is where the first shots of the Civil War took place.
