Southern Secession and the Road to Civil War

California and Texas Debate

Discussions on slavery's extension in 1848.

Zachary Taylor

Elected President in 1848; proposed free states.

John C. Calhoun

Pro-slavery advocate; threatened Southern secession.

Daniel Webster

Neutral stance; supported returning fugitive slaves.

William Seward

Opposed slavery; refused to return fugitive slaves.

Compromise of 1850

Series of laws addressing slavery and territories.

Fugitive Slave Act

Required Northern states to return escaped slaves.

Anthony Burns Event

1854 incident highlighting tensions over fugitive slaves.

Uncle Tom's Cabin

Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel against slavery.

Election of 1852

Franklin Pierce won; endorsed Kansas-Nebraska Act.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Introduced popular sovereignty for slavery decisions.

Bleeding Kansas

Violent conflicts over slavery in Kansas territories.

John Brown

Abolitionist leader known for violent resistance.

Dred Scott v. Sandford

Supreme Court case denying citizenship to slaves.

Election of 1856

James Buchanan won; supported Southern concessions.

Harpers Ferry Raid

John Brown's failed attempt to incite slave uprising.

Election of 1860

Lincoln won without Southern electoral votes.

South Carolina Secession

First state to secede on December 20, 1860.

Fort Sumter

Site of first battle in the Civil War.

Lincoln's Inauguration

Took place on March 4, 1861.

Civil War Start

Officially began on April 12, 1861.

Stephen A. Douglas

Proposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act; supported popular sovereignty.

Republican Party Formation

Established in opposition to slavery expansion.

Whig Party Collapse

Resulted from divisions over slavery issues.

Fines for Interference

Up to $1,000 for obstructing slave catchers.

Public Sale of Slaves

Ended in D.C. but slavery continued.

Federal Troops at Burns

1,500 troops restored order during Burns' capture.

League of Gileadites

Organization aiding runaway slaves to Canada.