Section #3 - Turning Point Events
1830-1835 Great Awakening
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Great Awakening 1830-1835 | |
| 1830 | A Senate debate on The “Value of the Union” captures the growing sectional divide. The exchange, which extends over two days, is considered the greatest display of oratory in the history of the upper chamber. South Carolina’s Robert Hayne begins by questioning why the South should stay in the Union given the damaging tariffs imposed by the North. Daniel Webster parries by citing the many benefits of remaining as one. The two agree to disagree, but with Webster scoring his final line: “Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable.” Causal Theme: Sectional Wealth Learn More: Read Chapter 60 in Prelude |
| 1831 | The first edition of the Liberator demands an immediate end to slavery in America. The paper is published by William Lloyd Garrison and heralds the beginning of the organized abolitionist movement. His influences include a religious mother, Francis, and two Quakers, Benjamin Lundy and Lucretia Mott. His newspaper, and his outspoken attacks on slavery, will last for the next 35 years during which time his life is constantly threatened by Northerners who regard him as a radical troublemaker. Causal Theme: Abolition, Public Violence Learn More: Read Chapter 59 in Prelude |
| 1831 | Nat Turner’s Rebellion terrifies the South and fosters savage reprisals. The apocalyptic vision in David Walker’s “Appeal” is played out by the enslaved Nat Turner who leads a band of 70 men in assaulting 15 farms in Virginia and killing some 60 whites before being stopped by local posses. Turner escapes for two months before captured and executed by the local militia. At his trial he refuses to confess or express remorse, saying, “I am not guilty, because I do not feel so…I’m not sorry for killing all those white people. And, no I didn’t fail. Our names are now written in blood across the map of this county, nor will we be the last.” Retributions in the form of beatings and lynchings follow across the South. Causal Theme: Black Experience, Racism, Abolition, Public Violence Learn More: Read Chapter 63 in Prelude |
| 1831 | JQ Adams returns to the House and becomes the leading proponent of abolition. After losing the White House to Andrew Jackson in 1828, Adams returns to his Peace Fields mansion in Massachusetts. But he soon grows bored and decides to re-enter politics. He is elected to the House and begins a second chapter that will last for the next seventeen years. During that time he becomes the first voice in Congress demanding an end to slavery. Causal Theme: Abolition Learn More: Read Chapter 74 in Prelude |
| 1833 | The “Nullification Crisis” threatens the viability of the Union. John C. Calhoun resigns as Jackson’s Vice-President in 1832, and dedicates himself to leading Southern opposition to what he sees as Northern threats to its economy and culture. Along with other so-called “fire-eaters,” he leads passage of a bill calling for port authorities in South Carolina to stop collecting all tariffs. Upon hearing of this, President Jackson gets Congress to pass a Force Bill authorizing him to send U.S. Military troops to South Carolina to arrest any agents violating the federal law. While this threat, together with a promised compromise on the tariff rate, convinces South Carolina to back down, the incident foreshadows future secession. Causal Theme: Sectional Wealth, Nullification, Legal Rulings Learn More: Read Chapter 66 in Prelude |
| 1833 | The American Anti-Slavery Society is founded. Led by Lloyd Garrison in Boston and Arthur Tappan in New York, this Abolitionist Society grows to 1350 chapters by 1838 and counts 250,000 members. While this number remains a small percentage of the roughly 9 million whites in the North, it serves as the core of those who will actively try to end slavery. Causal Theme: Abolition, Second Awakening Learn More: Read Chapter 82 in Prelude |
| 1834 | Parliament officially abolishes slavery in Britain. This landmark effort is championed by Anglican minister William Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson and involves payment to slave owners for granting freedom. The total amount reaches L20 million sterling, which represents 40% of the Treasury’s total income. American abolitionists are buoyed by the UK action, although the funds required to pay owners will never materialize in the U.S. Causal Theme: Abolition, Legal Rulings Learn More: Read Chapter 70 in Prelude |
| 1835 | Oberlin College is the first to admit both Black and women students. Under President Charles Finney, the college becomes a leading symbol of educational diversity. Causal Theme: Abolition Learn More: Read Chapter 53 in Prelude |