Chapter 15: Prelude to the Civil War

A Divisive DecadeThe build-up to the Civil War

THE SLAVERY ISSUE

1850

Compromise of 1850This compromise dealt with California entering as a free state. In exchange, slavery would be voted on in Utah and New Mexico.

Harriet Beecher Stowe

1852

Uncle Tom’s CabinThis novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe told the story of Uncle Tom, a slave. It opened the eyes of many northerners to the cruelty of slavery.

Fugitive Slave Act Of 1850This harsh law made it a crime to help escaping slaves. The penalty was 6 months in jail and $1,000 fine.

Violence Erupts

Kansas-Nebraska Act

1854

KANSAS-NEBRASKA ACTThis law allowed the voters of Kansas to decide about slavery. This was called popular sovereignty.

Bleeding Kansas

1854

BLEEDING KANSASThis nickname originated with the violence that erupted between pro-slavery and abolitionist forces.

Violence in Congress

Attacked with a cane

1856

The Sumner BeatingCharles Sumner, an anti-slavery senator, was beaten with a cane and seriously injured on the floor of the Senate.

Dred Scott

1857

The Dred Scott CaseDred Scott was a slave who sued for his freedom. The Supreme Court ruled that slaves were property and that the U.S. could not ban slavery anywhere.

The issue of slavery

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

1858

Slavery as a national issueAbraham Lincoln was running for Senator of Illinois against Stephen Douglas. The two candidates held a series of debates about slavery. Although Lincoln lost the election, the debates made him famous.

Raid on Harpers Ferry

1859

A failed slave rebellionJohn Brown, an abolitionist, was executed after trying to start a slave rebellion. Southerners believed all abolitionists were violent criminals.

War Breaks Out!

Lincoln Wins

1860

The Election of 1860Lincoln’s victory in 1860 scared Southerners who were convinced that he would get rid of slavery.

Southern States Secede

SecessionSouth Carolina and six other southern states seceded from the U.S.

1861

Fort Sumter, South CarolinaOn April 12th, 1861, Confederate forces attacked a Union fort in South Carolina. This was the first battle of the Civil War.

Attack on Ft. Sumter