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Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise, passed in 1820, addressed the issue of slavery in the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase territory. It admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state to maintain the balance of power between slave and free states in the Senate. The compromise also established a line (36°30' latitude) south of which slavery was permitted in the Louisiana Purchase, except in Missouri, and north of which it was prohibited. -
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annotated timeline
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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Published
In "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass," Douglass recounts his experience in slavery, from his birth on a Maryland plantation to his escape and eventual life as a prominent abolitionist and orator. He details the brutal realities of slavery, the hardships he faced, and his eventual determination to learn to read and write, ultimately leading him to freedom. The narrative also includes his journey to New York. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was a package of five laws designed to resolve disputes over slavery, particularly in territories gained after the Mexican-American War. It admitted California as a free state, organized the territories of New Mexico and Utah without addressing slavery, established a Texas boundary, abolished the slave trade in Washington, D.C., and strengthened the Fugitive Slave Act. -
Mexican American War
The Mexican-American War (1846-1848) was a conflict between the United States and Mexico over territory, primarily in the Southwest. The US won, gaining vast swathes of land including California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and parts of other states. The war was sparked by border disputes, especially regarding Texas, and Mexico's desire to reclaim lost territory. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act, specifically the version passed in 1850, mandated the return of runaway slaves to their enslavers, even in free states, and required citizens to assist in their capture. This act was highly controversial and fueled tensions between the North and South, ultimately contributing to the Civil War. -
Formation of the Republican Party
The Republican Party rapidly gained support, particularly in the North, leading to the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, which ultimately resulted in the secession of Southern states and the Civil War. -
King Cotton" Becomes Southern Motto
The phrase "King Cotton" encapsulated the belief that cotton production was the driving force behind the Southern economy and wielded significant political influence. This notion became a common refrain in the decades leading up to the Civil War, reflecting the enormous economic and social changes that occurred in the South due to its dependence on cotton. -
John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry
In October 1859, abolitionist John Brown and his followers raided the Harper's Ferry armory in an attempt to start a slave revolt. They captured the armory and arsenal, hoping to arm enslaved people and incite rebellion. The raid was quickly quelled by U.S. Marines under the command of Robert E. Lee, with Brown and his men being captured or killed. -
Abraham Lincoln Elected President
Lincoln carried all but one Northern state to win an Electoral College majority with 180 votes to 72 for Breckinridge, 39 for Bell, and 12 for Douglas. Lincoln won every county in New England and most of the remaining counties in the North, but he won just two of the 996 Southern counties.