| 1793 |
The
Fugitive Slave Act passed making it a crime to help an escaped
slave or prevent his arrest. |
| 1826 |
Secretary
of State Henry Clay asks Canada for help returning slaves
who have escaped there; the Canadian government refuses. |
| 1831 |
The
term "underground railroad" is coined when Tice
Davids escapes from his master in Kentucky and disappears
in the free state of Ohio. |
| 1840s |
The
term "underground railroad" first appears in print. |
| 1845 |
Narrative
of the Life of Frederick Douglas, an American Slave is published.
|
| 1849 |
Harriet
Tubman escapes to the North |
| 1850 |
The
Fugitive Slave Law is passed, denying captured blacks any
legal power to prove their freedom and requiring U.S. marshals
and deputies to help slave owners capture their "property"
and fining them $1000 if they refused. |
| 1857
|
The
Dred Scott Decision. The United States Supreme Court rules
that blacks, free or slave, are not United States citizens.
|
| 1859 |
John
Brown's raid. White abolitionist John Brown and 22 black and
white followers attempt to seize the federal arsenal at Harper's
Ferry, Virginia. |
| 1860 |
Abraham
Lincoln elected president. |
| 1861 |
Civil
War begins. |
| 1862 |
Emancipation
Proclamation |
| 1865 |
Lee
surrenders. Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution,
which outlaws slavery, is ratified. |
