1. Prelude to the Civil War Three Events that led America into Conflict

2. Come on, then, gentlemen of the slave states. Since there is no escaping your challenge, we accept it in the name of freedom. We will engage in competition for the virgin soil of Kansas, and God give the victory to the side which is stronger in numbers, as it is in right. Come on, then, gentlemen of the slave states. Since there is no escaping your challenge, we accept it in the name of freedom. We will engage in competition for the virgin soil of Kansas, and God give the victory to the side which is stronger in numbers, as it is in right. -Senator William Seward, on the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, May 1854

3. Bleeding Kansas - 1856 As a result of Kansas-Nebraska Act, many people from North and South moved to this territory They both wanted to win the vote over issue of slavery Violence broke out in which proslavery factions and abolitionists both caused fire, destruction and even deaths

4. Dred Scott Decision - 1857 Dred Scott, slave living in Missouri, filed suit that he should be free because he once lived in a territory where slavery was illegal Supreme Court said slaves are not citizens and have no right to sue in court Showed that Congress had no power to ban slavery anywhere

5. John Brown’s Raid - 1859 Attacked federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia –Arsenal: where weapons are made or stored 21 men were led in hopes of seizing weapons and leading an uprising of slaves U.S. troops quickly surrounded arsenal, killed half of men and captured rest.