1857 – The “Dred Scott Decision” by the Supreme Court holding that African-Amerians have no rights precipitates a national crisis over the question of slavery in the states.

1858 – The Lincoln-Douglas debates occur between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, both candidates for the U.S. Senate from Illinois, debating questions of slavery and states rights

October 16-19. 1859 – John Brown’s Raid on the Federal Arsenal in Harper’s Ferry fails to incite a black slave insurrection as John Brown had hoped it would. He and his men are captured by Federal cavalry led by Robert E. Lee and Jeb Stuart, both who were later to join the confederacy.

February 27, 1860 – Abraham Lincoln gives his Cooper Union speech in New York City and has his photograph taken by Mathew Brady

November 6, 1860 – Abraham Lincoln is elected President of the United States

December 20, 1860 – South Carolina is the first state to secede from the Union

February 4, 1861 – The seven states which had seceded from the Union created the Confederates States of America and elected Jefferson Davis as their President

February 4, 1861 – Peace Conference to try to resolve the question of slavery in the states was held at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C.

February 11, 1861 – President-elect Abraham Lincoln departs Springfield, Illinois by train for his inauguration in Washington

March 4, 1861 – First inauguration of President Abraham Lincoln