Events leading up to the Civil War

  • Gabriel Prossers rebellion

    Gabriel Prossers rebellion
    Gabriel Prosser was a literate enslaved blacksmith who planned a large slave rebellion in the Richmond area in the summer of 1800. Information regarding the revolt was leaked prior to its execution, and he and twenty-five followers were taken captive and hanged. We chose this because it was the first act of slave rebellion.
  • Banning of importation of new slaves

    Banning of importation of new slaves
    Congress passes a law banning the importation of new slaves into the United States. We chose this because the it was the first time the USA banned the slaves from entering the country; Meaning this was the first step into banning slavery
  • Texas becomes a state

    Texas becomes a state
    Texas becomes a state, giving more power to the southerners. We chose this because it was the state was important in the slave issues.
  • Mexican War ends

    Mexican War ends
    With the end of the Mexican War, America was given western territories. This posed a problem: would they be free or slave? Congress passed the Compromise of 1850 which made California free and allowed the people to pick in Utah and New Mexico. Some states could pick whether they would be free or slave, this was called popular sovereignty. We chose this because it was the first "Should this be a slave state question.
  • Fugitive Slave Act

    Fugitive Slave Act
    The Fugitive Slave Act was part of the Compromise of 1850. This law forced any official who did not arrest a runaway slave to pay a fine. This was the most controversial part of the Compromise of 1850 and caused many abolitionists to increase their efforts against slavery. This act made the underground railroad dangerous for slaves and, of course not as many slaves got to Canada. We chose this because it was the first fugitive slave act.
  • Uncle Tom's Cabin

    Uncle Tom's Cabin
    Uncle Tom's Cabin was a book released in 1852 that showed northerners how cruel it was to enslave people. Thanks to that book, many people changed mind about slavery. We chose this because that book is a milestone in US history.
  • Republican party vs. Democratic party

    Republican party vs. Democratic party
    Candidates from the northern Republican party wanted the end of slavery and candidates from the southern Democratic party started spreading slavery . They drifted apart. We chose this event because it showed one of the first political disagreement of the slave issue.
  • Lecompton Constitution Rejected

    Lecompton Constitution Rejected
    This was a bill allowing Kansas to be a slave state, after much debate , "Kansas voters did not want Kansas to be a slave state and Kansas became a free state." We chose this because it was the first time a law was made to decide whether a state would become a slave one or not.
  • John Brown Raided Harper's Ferry

    John Brown Raided Harper's Ferry
    John Brown led seventeen men to raid Harper's Ferry, Virginia in hope to cause an uprising for slaves.They captured weapons. Later they got arrested and were all hanged. We chose this because it was the first uprising for slaves.
  • Abraham Lincoln Was Elected President

    Abraham Lincoln Was Elected President
    6 states including South Carolina said that they would leave the Union if Abraham Lincoln won the election causing Lincoln and the Republican Party to make is so that any states joining the Union would become free states. We chose this because the election was a turning point for the Union.