January 1856
Armed conflict erupts in Kansas Territory throughout 1856 between pro-slavery "Border Ruffians" from Missouri and free-soil settlers. Pro-slavery men sack Lawrence on May 21. John Brown retaliates with the Pottawatomie massacre May 24-25. Over 200 people are killed in guerrilla fighting. The violence demonstrates that slavery cannot expand peacefully — the nation is heading toward war.
On January 27, 1856, Margaret Garner, having escaped slavery in Kentucky with her family, kills her two-year-old daughter Mary rather than allow her to be re-enslaved when slave catchers surround the family in Cincinnati. She wounds three other children. Ohio tries to charge her with murder — a case that would have implied legal personhood — but federal courts return her to slavery.
Events
- January 27, 1856Margaret Garner Kills Daughter Rather Than Return Her to Slavery
On January 27, 1856, Margaret Garner, having escaped slavery in Kentucky with her family, kills her two-year-old daughter Mary rather than allow her to be re-enslaved when slave catchers surround the family in Cincinnati. She wounds three other children. Ohio tries to charge her with murder — a case that would have implied legal personhood — but federal courts return her to slavery.
- January 27, 1856Margaret Garner Kills Daughter Rather Than Return Her to Slavery
On January 27, 1856, Margaret Garner, having escaped Kentucky slavery with her family, kills her two-year-old daughter Mary rather than allow her to be re-enslaved when slave catchers surround the family in Cincinnati. Ohio tries to charge her with murder — which would imply legal personhood — but federal courts return her to slavery.
- 1856Bleeding Kansas: Pro-Slavery and Free-Soil Forces War
Armed conflict erupts in Kansas Territory throughout 1856 between pro-slavery "Border Ruffians" from Missouri and free-soil settlers. Pro-slavery men sack Lawrence on May 21. John Brown retaliates with the Pottawatomie massacre May 24-25. Over 200 people are killed in guerrilla fighting. The violence demonstrates that slavery cannot expand peacefully — the nation is heading toward war.
- January 28, 1856· debatedThe Margaret Garner tragedy
Cornered by slave catchers after crossing the frozen Ohio River, Margaret Garner kills her own daughter rather than see her re-enslaved — an act that haunted the nation.