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* Missouri Territory Applies for statehood in 1818.
* In 1819, Henry Clay, Speaker of the House, proposes that Congress admit Missouri as a slave state to the Union, and Maine as a free state at the same time - to help settle opposing tensions on the issue of slavery.
* In 1820, a second part to the bill was added, exclaiming that all Louisiana Purchase lands south of Missouri's border were to ban slavery.
* President James Monroe passes law in 1820.

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* Denmark Vesey, carpenter and former slave, plans an enslaved insurrection to happen on Bastille Day in Charleston in 1822.
* Militia is sent to arrest leaders and suspects before the uproar could begin. Vesey is convicted and hung that same year.

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* The abolitionist movement is constantly in brew for 40 years before the Civil War. Abolitionists are supporters of anti-slavery and equality to all men. Gaining momentum in the movement causes tensions to rise between North and South.
* Famous abolitionists include:
- William Lloyd Garrison
- Frederick Douglass
- Harriet Beecher Stowe
- Susan B. Anthony
- John Brown
- Harriet Tubman
- Sojourner Truth

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* Nat Turner, enslaved man, leads a rebellion of enslaved people in Virginia in 1831, becoming one of the most deadly slave rebellions in American history. Over 200 Black people are massacred.

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* In 1832, Nullification Convention meets. Declares the tariffs of 1828 and 1832 to be unconstitutional in South Carolina after the state threatens to secede.

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* War between Texan and Mexican colonists over the state of Texas from 1835-1836. Texas gains independence and the Republic of Texas is founded.

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* Wilmot Proviso is a proposal from David Wilmot to ban all slavery in lands obtained during the Mexian-American war.
* While he strongly believes in slavery, he also believes that Pennsylvania should be a white mans state without the competition of slave labor.
* The bill is passed several times with no triumph.

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* Dred Scott was born into slavery in 1799 in Virginia.
* After his previous "owner' died, Dr. John Emerson purchased him and took him to Illinois, a free state, then to Wisconsin Territory, where slavery was banned by Missouri Compromise.
* Dred, and his wife Harriet, filed two separate lawsuits against Emerson for wrongful enslavement. Court ruled against on a technicality and granted a retrial.
* In the 1850 trial, they gained their freedom. Irene appealed the case, combined Harriet and Dred's cases, and the decision was reversed in 1852.
In 1854, Dred appealed his case, and trials didn't begin until 1856. The case grew to be infamous and he gained much attraction and support from abolitionists and politicians. But in 1857, the Dred Scott Decision was passed, and he lost the trial and his fight for freedom.

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* Texas gains independence from Mexico in 1836
* Polk tries to purchase states in the American Southwest. When refused, he instigates a fight and war begins.
* Battle of Palo Alto and Battle of Resaca de la Palma ensue in 1846, led by General Zachary Taylor.
* Colonel Stephen Watts Kearny and Commodore Robert Field Stockton conguer land north of the Rio Grande. Taylor captures Monterrey.
* General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna double crosses Polk and leads Battle of Buena Vista, withdraws, and becomes president of Mexico.
* Battle of Cerro Gordo ensues, Mexico loses every time.
* War ends and Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed, establishing the Rio Grande as the U.S.-Mexican border.

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* Henry Clay became known as the "Great Compromisor" after primarily composing the Missouri Compromise. Wanted to avoid a civil war.
* Daniel Webster sided with Clay, disappointing abolitionist followers.
* Stephen A. Douglas takes Clay's place to argue the case when Clay grows too ill.
* Senator John C. Calhoun, former vice president, wants to expand slavery.
* Full compromise failed to pass, split into individual bills to be voted upon on each topic. President Zachary Taylor dies. Vice President Millard Fillmore, pro-compromise, helps in the passing of each bill.
* Calhoun dies in 1850, Webster and Clay in 1852.
* Compromise made of five bills:
- Permitted slavery in Washington D.C., but outlawed slave trade
- Added California to Union as a free state
- Established Utah and New Mexico as territories that could decide via popular sovereignty if they would permit slavery
- Defined new boundaries for the state of Texas following the Mexican-American War, removing its claims to parts of New Mexico but awarding the state $10 million in compensation
- The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 required citizens to assist in apprehending runaway slaves and denied enslaved people a right to trial by jury.

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* Three U.S. Diplomats propose to Ostend Manifesto to Secretary of State William R. Marcy in 1854, stating that the U.S. should seize Cuba from Spain.
* Marked the beginning of the U.S. expansionist drive in the Caribbean.

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* In 1854, Senator Stephen Douglas proposes bill to organize Territory of Nebraska. Raises the possibility of the expansion of slavery into areas where it had been banned.
* Believed in idea of popular sovereignty.
* Repealed Missouri Compromise to gain pro-slavery votes for the Territory of Nebraska bill in 1854.
* Nebraska undoubtedly becomes free state, but fate of Kansas was fought over by opposing political parties. Republican Party is born as the head of the anti-slavery movement.

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* John Brown, a prominent abolitionist, leads a group of supporters to Harper's Ferry, Virginia to start a revolt of enslaved people and destroy institution of slavery in 1859.
* The group overran the arsenal, but within days all men are captured and 10 are killed.
* Brown is executed. This failed raid sparks radical, sectional tensions preceding the Civil War.

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* Republican nominee Abraham Lincoln vs Democratic Party nominee Senator Stephen Douglas.
* In 1834, Lincoln becomes member of the Whig Party, and publicly denounces slavery.
* In 1847, Lincoln is elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
* In 1858, Lincoln runs for Senate and loses, while gaining publicity.
* In 1860, the Democratic party splits over debate of slavery.  Stephen Douglas becomes front runner of Democratic party.
* Little campaigning takes place for any party, but Lincoln's speeches and political history speak for themselves, and Douglas tries to bring in votes from Northern and Southern Democrats.
* Lincoln wins the election with 180 electoral votes, but only winning 40% of the popular vote.