Immediate Context 

Immediate Context is the political, social, cultural, and economic events going on at the time of an event you are studying. In order to better understand something in history, we must look at its context. We must study and understand what is going on in the world, and the country at the time of a specific event.  

Compromise of 1850

The Bill which introduced the Fugitive Slave Act, which named slaves as property and didn't allow them to ever escape, even in free states.

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Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)

The expansion of the U.S. into Kansas creates extreme tension between pro and anti-slavery settlers.

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Industrialists in the North

As a direct consequence of the different economies, as well as the growing number of slaves, Northerners were scared of losing their jobs.

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The Presidential Elections

The Presidential elections during this time period were all one massive debate over slavery.

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Uncle Tom's Cabin

The best selling novel of the century dealing with the harshness and brutality of slavery.

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