Causes of the Civil War
by Haydynn Roos. hour 5
Introduction
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri compromise was a compromise made when Missouri wanted to join the union as a state. They didn't want to upset the slave and free balance. So they made the compromise line, 36 30 that no states above it could become a slave state, with the exception of Missouri. Maine joined at the same time as Missouri, as a free state.
Compromise of 1850
Fugitive Slave Act (1850)
The fugitive slave act was an act passed saying that it was illegal to help runaway slaves. The officials could arrest the slaves that were freed. The US commissioner would decide the slave's fate. When the act was passed thousands of slaves fled to Canada to try and save themselves.
Uncle tom's cabin is published
Uncle tom's cabin was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. She made the book to inform people the evils of slavery from a slave's point of view. She was born into a quaker family and had always thought slavery was wrong. When the book was published it became so famous that it’s the second most sold book in the world, behind the bible. The book had a huge impact on the abolitionist movement
Kansas and Nebraska act
Senator Stephen Douglas introduced this act that had split the land. It created two territories, and Nebraska. He wanted to build a railroad from the midwest to the pacific coast. The territories decided if they were free of slave states by voting. Since Kansas was right next to Missouri, the Missouri people can and voted. Making Kansas a slave state. Eventually the gained statehood as a free state.
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott was a slave that traveled around with his Master, Dr. Emmerson. After Dr. Emerson died, Mrs. Emerson kept him and worked him for other people. In 1846, Dred Scott wanted to sue for him and his family's freedom. He went to court and pleaded that he became a free man when he lived in the free territory with Dr. Emerson. The court ruled that no African American man was a citizen and they didn't have a right to sue in federal court. During the case, the court ruled that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional.
John Brown’s Raid on Harper's Ferry (1859)
John brown was an extremist abolitionist. He went to Virginia and raided the federal armory and tried to arm the slaves to revolt against their masters. None of the slaves showed up because they thought it was a hopeless case. John brown and his men hid out and were eventually caught by the US marines, John brown was sentenced to death and hung.