Event
|
Year
|
Significance
|
Annexation of Texas
|
1845
|
Addition of Texas to the U.S.
adds a major slave state to the Union
|
Wilmot Proviso
|
1846
|
Though never passed by Congress,
this proposal to ban slavery from territories taken from Mexico Keeps
the slavery issue in Congressional view.
|
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
|
1848
|
While ending the
Mexican-American War, this also adds a huge section of the Southwest to
the U.S. "Should these states be allowed to have slaves?" is a key
question.
|
Compromise of 1850
|
1850
|
While not satisfying either
abolitionists or slavery advocates, this brings California in as a free
state and strengthens the Fugitive Slave Law. It also allows Utah and
New Mexico territory residents to decide on slavery.
|
Uncle
Tom's Cabin
|
1852
|
Publication of Harriet Beecher
Stowe's novel takes the message of abolitionism to a broad audience.
Over 300,000 copies are sold in the first year. It is also produced as
a play throughout the world. Good, kindly blacks are portrayed as
victims of a cruel system.
|
Kansas-Nebraska Act
|
1854
|
Repealing the Missouri
Compromise, the K-N Act gives residents the right to decide on the
issue of slavery. Proposed by Stephen Douglas, this pushes many former
Whigs into the new Republican Party, which opposes the extension of
slavery beyond its current locations.
|
Bleeding Kansas
|
1855
|
Violent clashes between pro- and
anti-slavery advocates. 200 deaths result as settlers pour in to Kansas
on both sides.
|
Dred
Scott case
|
1857
|
Critical ruling by the Supreme
Court that slaves are not citizens and that Congress has no authority
to ban slavery from the territories. Huge victory for pro-slavery
forces.
|
Lecompton Constitution
|
1857
|
Kansas pro-slavery constitution
that is adopted after anti-slavery forces boycotted the state's
constitutional convention but defeated it by 10,000 votes, clearly
indicating an anti-slavery majority. Pres. Buchanan supports the
Lecompton document, greatly distressing Republicans. Kansas voters
reject it again and it isn't't until 1861 that Kansas joins the Union
as a free state.
|
Lincoln-Douglas debates
|
1858
|
In a race for an Illinois Senate
seat, Douglas defends popular sovereignty and accuses the Republicans
of favoring war and social equality of the races. Lincoln opposes
the extension of slavery into the territories, but does not advocate
its abolition in the South. The debate makes Lincoln a national figure.
|
John Brown's Raid
|
1859
|
While failing in his attempt to
begin a slave uprising, John Brown helps define the line between
abolitionists and those opposed to slavery, but unwilling to take a
stand against it. Brown's action convinces some Southerners that
nothing but withdrawal from the nation would preserve slavery in the
South.
|
Election of 1860
|
1860
|
While winning less than 40% of
the popular vote, Lincoln achieves a victory in the electoral college
over a divided Democratic Party.
|
Jefferson Davis sworn in as
Confederate president
|
February 1861
|
Seven seceding states establish
the Confederate States of America, claiming they are acting in the
spirit of 1776.
|
Firing on Ft. Sumter
|
April 1861
|
Lincoln sends supplies to
the fort in Charleston harbor, knowing the South would attack. Several
southern states secede and the conflict has become war.
|