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Events That Led To The Civil War

  • Tariff of 1816

    Tariff of 1816
    After the War of 1812, American industries had to compete with Britain's cheap prices. The Tariff of 1816 was a protective tax that was created as a safeguard to American industries.
  • Missouri Compromise

    Missouri Compromise
    The Missouri Compromise was passed between free and anti-slavery states. It prohibited slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36'30 latitude line.
  • David Walker's Appeal

    David Walker's Appeal
    David Walker's appeal was an anti-slavery document that called for slaves to revolt against their masters. This led to rebellion between the north and south as well as slaves and their owners.
  • Abolitionism

    Abolitionism
    Abolitionism was the movement to end slavery. Slavery had become a huge part of life in the South, while Northerners (and some Southerners) were against the unconstitutional use of slaves.
  • Underground Railroad

    Underground Railroad
    The Underground Raliroad was essentially a secret route to freedom for slaves. Although many died in the process, it allowed for some slaves to escape and help the rebellion.
  • Nat Turner's Rebellion

    Nat Turner's Rebellion
    Nat Turner's Rebellion was one of the move significant revolts in American history due to the violence and motives. His actions created a sense of power in slaves but anger in their masters and other free men.
  • The Liberator

    The Liberator
    William Lloyd Garrison wrote and published the newspaper "The Liberator." The text worked as an abolitionist movement to help put an end to slavery.
  • Gag Rule

    Gag Rule
    In 1836, the gag rule required the US House to discussion anti-slavery petitions. The gag rule brought forth discussion of slavery and therefore aided in it's abolishment.
  • Annexation of Texas

    Annexation of Texas
    The annexation of Texas caused conflict between Mexico and the United States, thus the Mexican American War.
  • Mexican American War

    Mexican American War
    Land was the winning prize of the Mexican American War. After several battles and attacks, the countries agreed to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo,
  • Wilmot Proviso

    Wilmot Proviso
    The Wilmot Proviso stated that slavery would not exist in any territory that the United States gained from Mexico. Southerners were outraged for they were in favor of slavery. The idea of popular sovereignty was brought forth.
  • Annexation of Oregon

    Annexation of Oregon
    Oregon became an American territory thanks to the Oregon Treaty. It defined the border between the United States and Canada which in turn resolved the conflict between England and the United States.
  • California's Admission To The Union

    California's Admission To The Union
    After much consideration, California joined the Union as a free state. Obviously, Southerners did not approve of this decision while Northerners did.
  • Popular Sovereignty

    Popular Sovereignty
    Popular sovereignty was the idea that citizens of each new territory would decide whether or not slavery would be promitted. The new western territory was settled mainly by Northerners (who therefore chose to be a free state).
  • Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

    Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
    The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo settled conflicts between Mexico and America and ended the War.
  • Compromise of 1850

    Compromise of 1850
    The Compromise of 1850 was a set of 5 bills which dealt with the slave status in the new territorires. Neither the North or the South were satisfied though and more bills were yet to come.
  • Transcontinental Railroad

    Transcontinental Railroad
    Transcontinental railroads opened up small regions of the contient to exploration, settlement, and trade. The railroads united the country and provided a better system of transportation.
  • Fugitive Slave Act

    Fugitive Slave Act
    The Fugitive Slave Law declared that all runaway slaves were to be returned to their masters. Although this helped slaveholders, abolitionist were completely against this act.
  • Uncle Tom's Cabin

    Uncle Tom's Cabin
    This anti-slavery novel fueled the Civil War. American people better understood slavery and the harm it caused; the fight to end slavery was inspired.
  • Kansas-Nebraska Act

    Kansas-Nebraska Act
    The Kansas-Nebraska Act created the territories of Nebraska and Kansas. By allowing popular sovereignty, the act worked against the Missouri Compromise,
  • Collapse of the Whig Party

    Collapse of the Whig Party
    After much of the land turned away from the Whig party's beliefs, it evenually dropped out. The fellow Whigs however, adopted the Opposition Party several years later.
  • Birth of the Republican Party

    Birth of the Republican Party
    The goal of the Republican Party was to stop the spread of slavery. The party was popular and dominated American politics for years.
  • Caning of Charles Sumner

    Caning of Charles Sumner
    The cannning of Charles Sumner symbolized the end of compromise between the North and South. Slaves would rebel until they were freed.
  • Bleeding Kansas

    Bleeding Kansas
    Bleeding Kansas was a series of fights that would determine whether Kansas would enter the Union as a free or slave state.
  • Election of 1856

    Election of 1856
    The electiof of 1856 was a heated vote between the American, Republican, and Know Nothing parties. James Buchanan won the election.
  • Lecompton Constitution

    Lecompton Constitution
    The Lecompton Constitution was produced by pro-slave forces which allowed Kansas to enter the Union as a slave state.
  • Dred Scott Decision

    Dred Scott Decision
    The Supreme Court ruled against Dred Scott; as an African American, he was not considered a citizen of the United States and therefore didn't have the right to sue.
  • John Brown's Raid

    John Brown's Raid
    Brown's raid consisted of abolitionists who planned a slave revolt against slaveholders. As a result, Brown was captured by the US Marines and sentenced to death. Southerners viewed Brown's raid as proof that Northerners were plotting terror among slaveholders.
  • Election of 1860

    Election of 1860
    The election of 1860 was the force behind the Civil War. The country was already split between free and slave states so when Lincoln was elected president, change was on it's way.
  • First State to Secede

    First State to Secede
    South Carolina was the first state to secede the Union and start the Confederacy. This seperation of America, triggered the Civil War.
  • The Next 6 States to Secede

    The Next 6 States to Secede
    The next six states to secede from the Union [Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas] joined the Conferedate States of America.They fought together in the Civil War but were evenually taken down by Union forces.
  • The Confederate States of America

    The Confederate States of America
    The Conferderacy fought and lost in the American Civil War; hense the reason slavery is no longer occurant in the United States.