Events Leading up to the Civil War
Aoife Khan
The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 made the Southern and Northern States agree by continuing to let the Southern States have slave trade but they would have to give the the New Mexico territory to the Northern States for $10 million which was enough to cover Texas's debt. It also made California a free sate. Slave trade would also discontinue in Washington D.C. This compromise led to the Fugitive Slave Act, which made the runaway slaves that went to the Northern States and Canada through the Underground Railroad have to be returned to the rightful owners.
Underground Railroad
how slaves escaped their harsh lives to find freedom.
New Mexico Territory
The land the Northern States bought from Texas.
States Divided
The Northern States, Southern States, Territories.
The Fugitive Slave Law of 1850
This law upset many abolitionists as did the slaves. It made sure that the runaway slaves we're to be taken back to their owners if they we're caught. Although this act was not very strict, many states would not act upon this so the capturing had to be done by the government.It was one of the most powerful grips the government took because it was more involved.
Abolitionist
Frederick Douglass was a famous abolitionist.
The Fugitive Slave Act
Made escape harder in the Underground Railroad for slaves.
A Slave
A person held in servitude as the chattel of another.
The Dred Scott Decision of 1857
Dred Scott, a slave that was sold from his first master Peter Blow to John Emerson in 1830. John was not mean like most slave owners, but he later married a women that had a rude quality. John passed a few years after and left the Scott slave family with Mrs. Emerson. Irene Emerson had separated each slave family member into other homes for other families, and this didn't settle well with Dred. He filed a lawsuit to fight for the freedom of his family. This was also a reason why the states had the civil war.
Dred Scott
Harriet Scott
Wife of Dred Scott.
Irene Emerson
Cruel slave owner after departure of her husband
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854
Kansas and Nebraska wanted to become states so they had to decide if they wanted to be a slave state or a free state. They became a slave state and bought weapons for those that didn't agree with this decision. Many wished them luck into this treacherous journey they were going to embark on.
John Brown's Raid of 1859
John Brown was an abolitionist that was determined and very strong willed. He brought men to fight off slavery and even armed slaves, little did he know that his plan wouldn't go exactly the way he wanted it. Many of his men were either killed or captured. After a few years John was captured and taken to court, he was pronounced guilty and was hung on December 2, 1859 at the age of 59.
Bibliography
The Compromise of 1850:
The Fugitive Law of 1850:
Dred Scott Decision of 1857:
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854:
John Brown's Raid of 1859: