Events that Helped Spark the Civil War By: Mrs. Andreatta Fuel for the Fire Events that Helped Spark the Civil War By: Mrs. Andreatta

Fugitive Slave Act Made it a crime to help runaway slaves and allowed officials to arrest those slaves in free areas (states). Slaveholders had to take fugitive slaves to the U.S. Commissioners office. Law was passed as a result of Compromise of 1850 Helped to get the South to agree to allow California to become a “free” state.

Compromise of 1850 Map

Northern / Southern Viewpoints The North was upset with the U.S. Commissioner’s power and disliked the idea of trial w/out a Jury. The South felt as if the North was not doing their part to obey the law as agreed in the Compromise of 1850.

Fugitive Slave Warnings:

Fugitive Poster

Uncle Tom’s Cabin A fictional anti-slavery novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. She learned stories from fugitive slaves. She never experienced slavery 1st hand. Uncle Tom’s Cabin published in 1852

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Uncle Tom’s Cabin – Book Cover

North & South Points of View The North embraced the book and treated it as if it was fact. 2 MILLION copies sold! The South thought the book was untruthful about the institution of slavery.

Dred Scott – Supreme Court Case Dred Scott was a slave the belonged to Dr. John Emerson in St. Louis, MO. When Emerson died, Scott became the slave of his widow. In 1846 Scott sued the MO state court claiming that he gained his freedom when living in Illinois Territory (Free Territory). Chief Justice Roger B. Taney found Scott not a citizen of the U.S. “African Americans” had no rights which a white man was bound to respect.” Because he returned to a slave state he is still a slave. Because slaves were property, an owner can take their property where they want.

Dred Scott

Roger B. Tawney – Chief Justice U.S. Supreme Ct

North & South Points of View The North was stunned! The North thought that Congress had the right to ban slavery, but the Supreme Court ruled in favor of it! The South cheered the ruling. It settles the issue of slavery in favor of the South!

John Brown ‘s Raid on Harper’s Ferry John Brown hoped to start a massive slave rebellion by taking over a Federal Arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, VA. He had 20 men and would murder any Southerner that got in his way. He was Tried and Executed for his actions.

John Brown

John Brown’s Final Moments

Northern & Southern Viewpoints The North viewed John Brown as a Martyr and but did not approve of his extreme actions. The South feared John Brown. They were worried that similar attacks would follow in the future.