Steps to the Civil War by Raniya Revere

1845

rrevere5615 — 2025-03-11 14:54:28 UTC

Manifest Destiny- Claimed that the US was destined by God to claim all of North America. At the end of James K. Polk’s one term, he managed to fulfill Manifest Destiny. Both regions benefited because it provided more land for the US as a whole.

1820

rrevere5615 — 2025-03-11 14:59:06 UTC

Missouri Compromise- Missouri wanted the apply for statehood as a slave state, this would upset the balance of slave and free states in the Senate. Henry Clay proposed that Maine also be admitted but as a free state. He then set a border and beyond this border slavery was prohibited. Both regions benefited from this event because it helped balance the Senate.

1846-1848

rrevere5615 — 2025-03-11 15:19:37 UTC

The Mexican War- To fulfill Manifest Destiny, James Polk wanted to acquire Mexican Territory, Mexico refused to surrender its land. American troops entered Mexico and forced Mexico to surrender. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo included new land for the US. The new land raised the question of whether these new states would be free or slave states. The war benefited the South region providing them with more land.

1850

rrevere5615 — 2025-03-12 15:03:23 UTC

Growth of Sectionalism- The north started to turn towards industry while the south continued to rely on slavery and agriculture. The west was made up of small farmers. People in each section had different opinions this led to tension. This didn’t really benefit anybody in the US.

1850

rrevere5615 — 2025-03-12 15:06:46 UTC

Compromise of 1850- California wanted to be admitted as a free state, this would upset the balance in the Senate. Another compromise needed to be created. “Popular Sovereignty” was used in the other Mexico territories to determine if it were a slave or free state. This benefited both regions of the US.

1850

rrevere5615 — 2025-03-12 15:16:52 UTC

Popular Sovereignty- Popular sovereignty means to let people decide what they want. It could also be termed as “Majority Rules”. This event led to the civil war because of people and their different opinions about slavery. This benefited the south because the Mexican territories were already located in the south and many people in the south supported slavery.

1854

rrevere5615 — 2025-03-12 15:21:54 UTC

Kansas and Nebraska Act- Divided the Louisiana territory into two parts: Kansas and Nebraska. Popular sovereignty was applied to these territories. Many groups flooded in the territories to try and persuade the votes of citizens in Kansas and Nebraska. This benefited the south because the slavery line in missouri was repealed, allowing slavery beyond the line.

1857

rrevere5615 — 2025-03-12 15:24:56 UTC

Dred Scott Decision- Dred Scott, a slave, attempted to sue the state and claimed that he is/should be a free man. Court ruled that since he is an African American he is only considered property and is not a citizen.The decision benefited the south by proving that slavery is relevant since slaves aren’t citizens.

1859

rrevere5615 — 2025-03-13 12:46:46 UTC

John Brown’s Raid- John Brown, an abolitionist, and a couple of his men stormed the Harper Ferry. Brown intended to start a slave rebellion, but the attack only led to deaths and growing tensions between the north and south.

1860

rrevere5615 — 2025-03-13 12:57:18 UTC

Election on Abraham Lincoln- The main issue of this election was slavery and states’ rights. Abraham Lincoln, a republican, spoke against the moral conflicts of slavery. Lincoln won the 1860 election not by popular vote but by electoral college. This benefited the north because Lincoln opposed slavery. This election was on the brink of Civil War, maybe even the tipping point.

1861

rrevere5615 — 2025-03-14 03:40:56 UTC

Attack on Fort Sumter- Southern states decided to leave the union and create the “ Confederate States of America”. Confederate troops fired on Fort Sumter in South Carolina. The union was forced to surrender leading to a victory for Confederates/ the south. This attack is the beginning of the Civil War.