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The Civil War
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The Election of 1860
The North and South argued over many key factors including slavery, states' rights, and sectionalism . The Tariff of 1828 increased tension between the North and South and led to the Nullification Crisis, which also almost caused South Carolina to secede. The Compromise of 1850, though appealed to and rewarded the North and South, it also caused movements such as abolition to rise. The election of Abraham Lincoln finally broke tensions as South Carolina seceded and others soon followed. -
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis was the President of Confederate States of America during the Civil War, Originally a senator from Mississippi, he resigned as the Southern states began to succede. Four days after resigning from his seat, Davis was elected as provisional president and went on to lead the Confederacy during the Civil War. -
Fort Sumter
On April 12-13, 1861, Southern ships as well as forts bombarded Fort Sumter, a Union controlled fort in the recently suceded South Carolina. The bombardment lasted throughout the night until Union troops surrendered. This bombardment gave Lincoln a reason to congure troops and start the Civil War -
Winfield Scott and the Anaconda Plan
The Anaconda Plan was a strategic military plan, developed by Winfield Scott, to subdue and bloc Southern ports. The plan's goal was to eventually take over the Mississippi and cut the South in two sections. The plan had an important role in weakening and eventually defeated the Confederacy. -
Battle of Bull Run
The first major land battle of the Civil War, near Manasses, Virginia. Union troops, led by Irvin McDowell, advanced across Bull Run and faced Confederate Troops, under P.G.T. Beauregard. Union troops were defeated by the Confederate defense, led by Stonewall Jackson, and reinfrocements. -
Stonewall Jackson
Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson became famous during the First Battle of Bull Run. Leading reinforcements on Henry House Hill, he pushed back Union troops they had broken through Confederate lines. There he was said to be like a "stonewall" that stopped all Union troops. -
George McClellan
George McClellan was the founder and commander of the Army of the Potomac, the Eastern front's major Union Army. It was made up of several Virginia units and fought in many major campaigns including Gettysburg and Appomattox. -
The Battle of Monitor and Merrimac
The Battle between the Monitor and Merrimac was the most decisive and important naval battle during the Civil War. It was also the first battle between ironclad ships, the USS Monitor (Union) and the USS Merrimac (Conf.). This battle changed the world's perception on naval ships and altered the way they were made. -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam was fought near Antietam Creek and was the first battle on Northern soil. Union troops knew Confederate plans, due to an intercepted letter, and eventually won but it was the single-most bloody battle in the war, with over 22,000 casualties -
Battle of Fredricksburg
Union troops, led by Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside, viciously assaulted entrenched Confederate troops, led by Robert E. Lee, Union troops crossed the Rappahannock River, trying to march towards Richmond, and in the process lost over two times as many troops than the Confederate brigade. After 4 days of fighting, Burnside withdrew his troops in a tremendous defeat. -
Emancipation Proclamation
President Abraham Lincoln issued a formal executive order during the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation. It proclaimed freedom for most of the slaves but was disregarded by the Confederacy. The proclamation did free slaves but only in Union controlled or eventual controlled areas. -
Battle of Vicksburg
The Battle of Vicksburg was an important battle, and is considered with the Battle of Gettysburg, the turning point of the war. Union troops, led by Ulysses S. Grant, crossed the Mississippi River and sieged the city of Vicksburg, defended by Confederate troops led be John C. Pemberton. After 47 days of beseiging, the garrisoned troops surrendered and the Confederacy was split in two -
Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee was the general of the Confederate Army during the Civil War. During Gettysburg, perhaps the most famous battle, Lee's offensive was broken by Union troops and over 50,000 died as the Confederates retreated and never recovered. He eventually surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse and ended the Civil War. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point and deadliest battle during the Civil War. Gen. George G. and Union troops Meade defeated Robert E. Lee and the Confederates ending their movement North while 46,000-51,000 died during the fight.This was the last offensive Lee and the Confederacy took during the rest of the war. -
Ulysses S. Grant
Commander of the Union Army and eventually the 18th president, Ulysses S. Grant is best known for his battle at Vicksburg. The seventeen day siege ended with Confederate troops surrendering and Grant getting promoted to Commander General of the entire Union Army. -
Gettysburg Address
President Abraham Lincoln gave a speech four and a half months after the Battle of Gettysburg in commemoration. He created the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, dedicated to those who lost their lives in the battle. It is regarded as one of the most famous speeches and includes the famous quote, "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." -
Sherman's March
Union troops led by Gen. William T. Sherman departed from recently captured Atlanta, Georgia on November 15 and marched 300 miles to the major port city of Savannah, Georgia. They captured it on December 21, 1864 and significantly damaged the industry and infrastructure of the South. Along the way, troops destroyed telegraph and railroad lines which ruined southern supplies and communication -
Appomattox Court House
On April 9, 1965, Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant fought for the last time before Lee surrendered. The two met at Appomattox Court House and Lee officially surrendered to Grant. This marked the 'end' of the Civil Ear even though some rebels still continued to fight for the Confederacy. -
Lincoln's Assassination
Lincoln was assassinated at Ford's theatre in Washington D.C., six days after the Civil War ended. He was killed by John Wilkes Booth, a radical southerner who had conspired with others in hope to rally remaining Confederate troops. After shooting Lincoln, Wilkes jumoed from the balc ony and yelled "Sic semper tyrannis" or "Thus always to tyrants!". At 7:22 A.M. on April 15, 1865 Lincoln was pronounced dead at the age of 56.
