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No More Slaves May Enter
President Thomas Jefferson signs a law that prohibits the importation of slaves into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States. The law would go into affect January 1, 1808. This was significant because in 1787 it was written in Article 1, Section 9 in the U.S. Constitution that the international slave trade cannot be banned before 1808. -
Missouri Compromise of 1820
The Missouri Compromise of 1820 allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state. Maine entered as a free state, and the expansion west north of 36/30 longitudinal lines were to be slave-free territories. -
Compromise of 1850 with Fugitive Slave Act
The Compromise of 1850 ensured runaway slaves were returned to their owners. This was an attempt to prevent dissolution from the Union. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Author Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel became popular and the anti-slavery movement grew. Her book told the horrible stories of slavery and caused more division in the country. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
The Kansas Nebraska Act repealed the Missouri Compromise. This Act gave Kansas and Nebraska the decision to whether or not to allow slavery in new territories. -
Pottawatomie Massacre
In Kansas, John Brown and other abolitionists including his sons, kidnapped and killed five pro-slavery settlers, some of which were slave catchers. John Brown had been angered by the attack on an anti-slavery town. -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott, a former slave, once freed, sued for his freedom. The Supreme Court ruled that enslaved people were not considered citizens. -
Presidential Campaign Debates
Seven debates took place between democratic Illinois Senator, Stephen A. Douglas and his challenger, Republican Abraham Lincoln. The debates centered on the issue of slavery. -
John Brown's Raid
John Brown, an abolitionist, attempted to start a slave uprising at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. This furthered the tensions between the North and the South. -
Election of Abraham Lincoln
Republican candidate, Abraham Lincoln was voted to be the next U.S. president. This was seen as a threat by many of the Southern states, and led to their secession from the Union. -
The Confederate States of America
Eleven states leave the U.S. to join The Confederate States of America. South Carolina was the first state to leave the union.