20 Events Leading Up To The Civil War
Introduction
As we look back at the history of the United States, one of the most significant moments in the country’s past was the Civil War. This conflict was the culmination of a series of events that had been brewing for many years. In this article, we will explore the 20 events that led up to the Civil War.
1. Missouri Compromise (1820)
The Missouri Compromise was a law that allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state, while Maine was admitted as a free state. The law also created a line across the country, north of which slavery was prohibited.
2. Nat Turner’s Rebellion (1831)
Nat Turner’s Rebellion was a slave revolt that took place in Virginia. It resulted in the deaths of over 50 people, and it caused fear among slave owners throughout the South.
3. Nullification Crisis (1832)
The Nullification Crisis was a conflict between the federal government and the state of South Carolina. South Carolina threatened to secede from the Union over a tariff that they believed was unfair.
4. Mexican-American War (1846-1848)
The Mexican-American War was a conflict between the United States and Mexico over territory. The war resulted in the acquisition of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
5. Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was a package of laws that attempted to resolve the issue of slavery in the territories. The law allowed California to enter the Union as a free state, while the territories of New Mexico and Utah were left to decide the issue of slavery for themselves.
6. Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1852)
Uncle Tom’s Cabin was a novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. The book was a bestseller and it helped to raise awareness about the cruelty of slavery.
7. Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)
The Kansas-Nebraska Act was a law that allowed the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide the issue of slavery for themselves. The law led to violence in Kansas, which became known as “Bleeding Kansas.”
8. Dred Scott Decision (1857)
The Dred Scott Decision was a court case that ruled that slaves were not citizens and could not sue in federal court. The decision also stated that Congress did not have the power to regulate slavery in the territories.
9. Harper’s Ferry Raid (1859)
The Harper’s Ferry Raid was an attempt by abolitionist John Brown to start a slave revolt. Brown and his men seized an armory in Harper’s Ferry, Virginia, but they were eventually captured and executed.
10. Election of 1860
The Election of 1860 was a presidential election that pitted Abraham Lincoln against three other candidates. Lincoln won the election, but his victory was seen as a threat to the institution of slavery.
11. Secession of South Carolina (1860)
South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union after the election of Abraham Lincoln. This event marked the beginning of the Civil War.
12. Crittenden Compromise (1860)
The Crittenden Compromise was a proposal that sought to prevent the secession of the Southern states. The proposal would have extended the Missouri Compromise line to the Pacific Ocean and guaranteed slavery in the Southern states.
13. Confederate States of America (1861)
The Confederate States of America was a government formed by the Southern states that seceded from the Union. The Confederacy was led by Jefferson Davis, and it fought against the Union in the Civil War.
14. Fort Sumter (1861)
Fort Sumter was a federal fort located in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. The fort was attacked by Confederate forces, which marked the beginning of the Civil War.
15. Emancipation Proclamation (1863)
The Emancipation Proclamation was a document issued by President Abraham Lincoln that declared all slaves in Confederate territory to be free.
16. Battle of Gettysburg (1863)
The Battle of Gettysburg was a three-day battle that took place in Pennsylvania. It was one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, and it resulted in a Union victory.
17. Sherman’s March to the Sea (1864)
Sherman’s March to the Sea was a military campaign led by Union General William Tecumseh Sherman. The campaign aimed to destroy Confederate supply lines and weaken the South’s ability to fight.
18. Appomattox Court House (1865)
The Appomattox Court House was a courthouse in Virginia where Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. This event marked the end of the Civil War.
19. Reconstruction (1865-1877)
Reconstruction was a period of time after the Civil War when the United States government attempted to rebuild the South and integrate freed slaves into society.
20. 13th Amendment (1865)
The 13th Amendment was a constitutional amendment that abolished slavery throughout the United States.
Conclusion
The events leading up to the Civil War were complex and multifaceted. These 20 events, along with many others, ultimately led to the conflict that shaped the United States as we know it today.
Question and Answer
Q: What was the Missouri Compromise?
A: The Missouri Compromise was a law that allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state, while Maine was admitted as a free state. The law also created a line across the country, north of which slavery was prohibited.
Q: Who was John Brown?
A: John Brown was an abolitionist who attempted to start a slave revolt by seizing an armory in Harper’s Ferry, Virginia.
Q: What was the Emancipation Proclamation?
A: The Emancipation Proclamation was a document issued by President Abraham Lincoln that declared all slaves in Confederate territory to be free.
FAQs
Q: What caused the Civil War?
A: The Civil War was caused by a combination of factors, including economic and social differences between the North and South, disagreements over states’ rights, and the issue of slavery.
Q: How long did the Civil War last?
A: The Civil War lasted from 1861 to 1865.
Q: Who won the Civil War?
A: The Union, led by President Abraham Lincoln, won the Civil War.