U3: Pre-Civil War

Sectionalism

Loyalty to a region of the country over the whole nation, often causing conflict

Tension between North and South

Differences over slavery, economy, and states’ rights that divided the country

Southern Secession

Southern states leaving the Union starting in 1860 to protect slavery

Confederate States of America

Southern states that seceded: SC, MS, AL, GA, TX, VA

Union

Northern states that stayed in the U.S., mostly free states: NY, PA, OH, MA, IL

Missouri Compromise

1820 compromise making Maine free, Missouri slave, and banning slavery north of 36°30′ line

Compromise of 1850

California free, Utah and New Mexico use popular sovereignty, no slave trade in D.C., Fugitive Slave Law enforced

Fugitive Slave Law

Law requiring Northerners to help return runaway enslaved people to the South

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Allowed Kansas and Nebraska to decide on slavery via popular sovereignty, leading to “Bleeding Kansas”

Abolition Movement

Movement to end slavery using newspapers, speeches, books, and conventions

The Liberator

Anti-slavery newspaper published by William Lloyd Garrison

North Star

Anti-slavery newspaper published by Frederick Douglass

Uncle Tom’s Cabin

Novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe showing slavery’s cruelty

Underground Railroad

Secret network of routes and safe houses helping enslaved people escape

Harriet Tubman

Famous conductor on the Underground Railroad who helped many enslaved people escape

John Brown’s Raid

1859 failed attempt to seize weapons at Harpers Ferry to arm enslaved people, increasing tensions

Haitian Revolution

Slave revolt from 1791–1804 leading to Haitian independence

German Coast Revolt

1811 slave revolt in Louisiana

Nat Turner’s Rebellion

1831 slave revolt in Virginia

Dred Scott v. Sandford

Supreme Court case saying Black people aren’t citizens and Congress can’t ban slavery in territories

Abraham Lincoln

Republican candidate in 1860, wanted to preserve Union, anti-slavery in North

Stephen Douglas

Northern Democrat in 1860, supported popular sovereignty

John Breckinridge

Southern Democrat in 1860, wanted to protect and expand slavery

Grimke Sisters

Abolitionists who spoke out against slavery and connected it to women’s rights

William Lloyd Garrison

Abolitionist, published The Liberator, spoke harshly against slavery and government

Frederick Douglass

Former enslaved person, abolitionist, wrote autobiography, spoke internationally about slavery

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, exposed slavery’s cruelty

Bleeding Kansas

Violent conflict in Kansas between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers after Kansas-Nebraska Act