Directions:
For this portfolio, you will choose 6-8 events that led to the outbreak of the Civil War.
You will present your findings as a timeline.
You may create your timeline in word, powerpoint, or google slides or docs.
For each event you choose, you must provide the following on your timeline:
an image that represents the event/topic
a caption explaining the image
a date (as specific as possible) of the event
a paragraph (3-4 sentences) explaining how the event moved the nation closer to the Civil War.
Begin by conducting research to determine 6 – 8 items (events, bills, social movements, etc.) that led to the Civil War. Your paragraph should include answers to the following questions:
● Who was involved?
● Who was affected?
● When did this happen?
● Where did this happen?
● What happened?
● How did this event/factor contribute to the Civil War?
You may use the following resources to identify reference materials for this activity. Follow the directions below to access these resources. You must cite your sources. Add your citations to each image caption, and at the end of each paragraph.
Event 1: Missouri Compromise
- Image: [insert image of the Missouri Compromise]
- Caption: The Missouri Compromise was signed into law in 1820, aiming to maintain a balance between slave and free states.
- Date: Signed into law on March 3, 1820.
- Explanation: The Missouri Compromise was passed to settle the issue of whether slavery should be permitted in new states joining the Union. It allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state and Maine to be admitted as a free state, preserving the balance between the two. This event contributed to the Civil War by highlighting the growing tensions between the North and the South regarding the expansion of slavery. (Source: History.com)
Event 2: Compromise of 1850
- Image: [insert image of the Compromise of 1850]
- Caption: The Compromise of 1850 aimed to address the issue of expanding slavery and maintain unity in the United States.
- Date: Passed by Congress on September 20, 1850.
- Explanation: The Compromise of 1850 was a package of laws passed to address the territory acquired from the Mexican-American War. It admitted California as a free state, introduced the Fugitive Slave Act, and allowed popular sovereignty in other territories. While it temporarily eased tensions, it also increased sectionalism and further divided the North and the South. The Compromise of 1850 added fuel to the fire of the slavery debate, ultimately leading to the Civil War. (Source: History.com)
Event 3: Uncle Tom's Cabin
- Image: [insert image of Uncle Tom's Cabin]
- Caption: Uncle Tom's Cabin was a popular novel that depicted the harsh realities of slavery and influenced public opinion.
- Date: Published on March 20, 1852.
- Explanation: Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin portrayed the cruelty and inhumanity of slavery, resonating with northerners and abolitionists. It sparked widespread discussion and condemnation of the institution of slavery, amplifying the growing divide between the North and the South. The novel played a significant role in shaping public opinion and fueling the tensions leading to the Civil War. (Source: History.com)
Event 4: Kansas-Nebraska Act
- Image: [insert image of the Kansas-Nebraska Act]
- Caption: The Kansas-Nebraska Act repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed for popular sovereignty in the territories.
- Date: Passed by Congress on May 30, 1854.
- Explanation: The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed the residents of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether they wanted to permit slavery through popular sovereignty. This decision effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise, intensifying the conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces in the territories. The Act led to violent clashes and heightened sectional tensions, further pushing the nation towards the brink of the Civil War. (Source: History.com)
Event 5: Dred Scott Decision
- Image: [insert image of the Dred Scott Decision]
- Caption: The Dred Scott Decision denied enslaved African Americans the right to sue for their freedom and declared slaves as property.
- Date: Decided by the United States Supreme Court on March 6, 1857.
- Explanation: In the Dred Scott v. Sandford case, the Supreme Court ruled that enslaved African Americans were not citizens and could not sue for their freedom. The decision also declared that slaves were property and could not be taken away without due process. This decision further solidified the divide between the North and the South, with the North viewing it as a pro-slavery decision and the South interpreting it as a defense of their rights to slavery. The ruling undermined the possibility of a peaceful resolution to the slavery issue, contributing to the path towards war. (Source: History.com)
Event 6: John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry
- Image: [insert image of John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry]
- Caption: John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry was an armed slave rebellion attempt that heightened tensions between the North and the South.
- Date: Occurred on October 16-18, 1859.
- Explanation: John Brown, an abolitionist, led a raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. His goal was to start a slave rebellion, but the attempt failed, and Brown was captured, tried, and executed. The raid intensified the divide between the North and the South, with each side interpreting it differently. The North saw Brown as a martyr while the South viewed him as a terrorist. This event further inflamed the already volatile sectionalism, contributing to the eventual outbreak of the Civil War. (Source: History.com)