Events that led to the Civil
War Notes
1. Missouri Compromise
• Tallmadge Amendment – an attempt to add Missouri as a
free state. It failed.
• This is 1819-1820 and the issue was whether or not to add a
new slave state to the Union (the U.S.). This would upset the
balance of Senators in the US Senate.
• Resolution – Maine now qualified for statehood so it would
enter as free and Missouri would enter a slave. The balance
was maintained. Also, in the future, slavery would only be
legal in areas below the latitude line of 36 30.
2. Imbalanced Congress
• The US Congress has two houses. In the House of
Representatives representation is based on population and
the free states had larger populations.
• In the Senate, each state had 2 senators.
• The advantage was on the side of the North or free states
but Senate was where laws could be stopped due to the
deadlock or tie.
3. Abolition Movement
•The growing number of anti-slavery Americans put pressure on
the government to try and end slavery. It also forced slave owners
into fighting more aggressively for less government interference
into their affairs, such as slavery.
4. Rebellion
•The fear of slave uprisings causes the owners to treat slaves
even harsher and to pass slave codes or laws that restrict slaves
more than ever. The owners are now fearful on two fronts. Slave
uprisings and government interference.
•Examples include: Nat Turner Rebellion, Denmark Vessey’s
Planned rebellion and John Brown’s raid at Harper’s Ferry.
5. Runaways
•Abolition efforts to help slaves escape increases resentment from
owners that their property is being stolen and they have no help in
regaining their property. It further draws a difference between
6. Compromise of 1850
When California wanted to become a state there were no other
areas that qualified for statehood. Therefore the balance
would be upset when it entered as a state. In order to
compromise Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act. This
law did the following:
1. Made it legal to recapture and return runaways from any area
of the US.
2. It made the act of helping or hiding a runaway a federal crime.
3. Gave higher payments to judges who ruled in favor of the
slave owner ($10 to return, $5 to set free)
7. Uncle Tom’s Cabin
An anti-slavery novel written in 1852 by Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Gave many Americans their first exposure to slavery and its
cruelty.
8.Kansas-Nebraska Act
1854-This law by Stephen Douglas created two territories on
the Great Plains, Kansas and Nebraska. Because they were
above 36 30 it was agreed that future settlers (voters) could
decide whether to be slave or free. Pro and anti slavery
groups move into the areas and violence breaks out.
9. States’ Rights
The Tenth Amendment allowed states to take power over
those things not under the control of the Federal government,
such as slavery. The claimed that no federal law could
interfere with slavery. Later the 14th amendment will makes
the Bill of Rights apply to all laws (state and federal).
10. Brooks attacks Sumner
1856. While debating the violence in Kansas, Massachusetts
Senator Sumner, is caned by Representative Brooks, the
nephew of SC Senator Butler. This attack represents the
growing inability to peacefully resolve differences. Some call
it the first attack of the Civil War.
11. Dred Scott Decision
1857- The Supreme Court rules that slaves were not citizens
not entitled to legal protection. Slaves were property. Also, the
court ruled that Congress had no right to limit slavery in new
states or territories.
12. Lincoln-Douglas Debates
Stephen Douglas was the Democratic senator from
Illinois running for reelection against the republican
candidate, Abraham Lincoln. The two met on several
occasions to discuss the issues including slavery.
Lincoln loses the election but becomes a national name
in politics and in the anti-slavery movement.
13. Presidential Election of 1860
November, 1860-Four candidates run but Lincoln
(Republican) wins by carrying nearly all of the northern
states. The South now realizes that they are a minority
region with less power to protect their rights (slavery).