The document discusses several events from the early 1800s that increased tensions between the North and South over the issue of slavery and led the nation toward civil war. Key events included the invention of the cotton gin which increased demand for slavery, debates over expanding slavery into new territories, the Dred Scott decision that upheld slavery, and Abraham Lincoln's election in 1860 which caused several Southern states to secede from the Union. These sectional divisions and clashes over the issue of slavery grew increasingly bitter, ultimately leading to the outbreak of the Civil War with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in 1861.

1. Slavery Divides the Nation

2. I. Cotton Gin Cause Eli Whitney hopes to end slavery by inventing a machine that cleans cotton. Effect Demand for cotton increases. Cotton production increases. Slavery increases. Sectional Tensions!

3. II. Mexican Session Cause Defeat of Mexico provides the U.S.A. with new territories in the West. Effect Questions about slavery in the territories arise. (Comp. Of 1850) North says no! South demands it! Sectional Tension deepens!

4. III. Missouri Compromise Cause Missouri seeks admittance to the Union. Effect Kept power in the Senate equal between slave and free states. Slavery prohibited north of Miss. Comp. Line Sectional Tensions!

5. IV. Compromise of 1850 Cause California seeks admittance to the Union. Effect Allowed slavery north of 36 th parallel. NORTH ANGRY! Passed a stricter fugitive slave law. Sectional Tensions!

6. V. Uncle Tom’s Cabin Cause Abolitionists oppose slavery. Effect Enraged and disgusted northerners. Angered Southerners Deepened sectional tensions.

7. VI. Kansas – Nebraska Act Cause Southerners hope to see slavery in the new territories. Missouri Compromise repealed. Effect Slavery in the territories left to residents (popular sovereignty). Violence breaks out in Kansas between the pro-slavery & anti-slavery factions. Sectional Tensions!

8. VII. Dred Scott Decision Cause Scott wanted to be free. Racism associated with Slavery. Effect Decision declared slaves did not have rights of citizens; Slaves = property. Slavery is allowed in the territories. Sectional tensions intensify.

9. IX. Lincoln-Douglass Debates Cause 1858 Senatorial Campaign. Both are from mid-west; have a concern over slavery in the territories. Effect Douglass loses support of South. Lincoln’s political views are put on display.

10. X. John Brown’s Raid Cause More people in the north and west oppose slavery. Brown is an abolitionist Effect John Brown is hung for treason. The North makes a hero out of him. The South sees him as a villain. Sectional Tensions!

11. John Brown, John Brown….

12. Harper’s Ferry, Virginia

13. XI. Election of 1860 Cause Buchanan (PA) does not seek reelection. Issue of Slavery has divided our nation. Effect Lincoln Wins. Southern States secede – feared losing slavery. North prepares for war. Sets stage for Ft. Sumter.

15. XII. Southern Secession Cause Election of 1860. Lincoln & North’s view of slavery. Effect North would go to war to preserve the Union. South would fight to stay out of the Union.

17. XIII. Fort Sumter Cause Southern Secession Sectional Controversy Effect First shots fired in the American Civil War. Confederates claim an early victory over the Union.

20. VIII. Sectional Controversy Cause Political, economic and social differences EVERYTHING ELSE!! Effect Civil War!