21 May 1856: Sack of Lawrence,Pro-slavery forces attacked and looted the anti-slavery town of Lawrence, Kansas, during "Bleeding Kansas."
2
1857
6 Mar 1857: Dred Scott decision,The Supreme Court ruled that African Americans were not citizens and that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional.
3
1858
15 Oct 1858: Lincoln-Douglas Debates,Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas held a series of seven debates on the issue of slavery in Illinois.
4
1859
16 Oct 1859: John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry,Abolitionist John Brown led a raid on a federal armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, hoping to start a slave revolt.
5
1860
6 Nov 1860: Abraham Lincoln elected,Abraham Lincoln was elected as the 16th President of the United States.
20 Dec 1860: South Carolina secedes,South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union following Lincoln's election.
