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American Civil War
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Election of 1860
The issues over slavery and states' rights had been the causes of the division in the nation. With these issues going on the Democratic Party split into Southern and Northern. The spiltting up of the party caused the Republican Party to become very powerful.
Lincoln, a Republican, won the election without the support of any Southern states. -
Jefferson Davis
After he resigned from the U.S. Senate, he was elected president of the Confederate States of America. He took control of the Confederate forces, but was unable to create a plan or strategy to win against the Union army. He did not pay much attention to the South's economy; he printed more and more paper money in order to support the war's expenses.
He was captured in May 10, 1865 and charged with treason without a trial. This caused him to not be able to run for public office. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
This battle started the American Civil War. The battle was caused due to the declaration of secession by 7 Southern States, including South Carolina. South Carolina demanded that the U.S. Federal troops abandoned the fort since South Carolina was no longer part of the Union. The Union refused to give up control over the fort and caused the fire to begin. The fort was surrendered by the Union and caused the president to want to create and army to suppress the rebellion. -
Winfield Scott and the Anaconda Plan
The Anaconda Plan, a three-part strategy for winning the war, was devised by General-in-Chief Winfield Scott to help the north obtain victory.
The plan was to: use the U.S. navy to blockade the southern ports which would stop essential supplies from reaching the South. It also wanted to divide the Confederacy in two by taking over the control of the Mississippi River. And the last part of it said the raise and train an army made up of 500,000 men to take over Richmond. -
Battle of Bull Run
It was the first major land battle of the war; also known as the Battle of Manassas. Federal troops marched from Washington, D.C., to attack Confederate Forces near Bull Run Creek. Union Forces seemed to be going for victory, but Confederate reinforcements sent the inexperienced Union troops back to Washington.
This battle brought an end to the illusion that the war was going to be short and promoted the myth that Rebels were invincible in battle. -
George McClellan
McClellan was the new commander of the Union Army in the East. He believed that troops were to have a long period of preparation before being sent to battle. McClellan's army invaded Virginia in March of 1862. However, his army was stopped by the amazing tactics of Robert E. Lee.
He was forced to retreat and had to go back to Potomac where General John Pope was waiting for him to become his replacement. -
Monitor and Merrimac
This was the most noted and important naval battle of the Civil War. The North was dependent on their ability to improve economic and naval advantages by shutting down the South's sources of supply. The Anaconda Plan was important to acquire this. -
Battle of Antietam
Also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg was the first major battle of the war fought on Northern soil. This was the bloodiest single-day in American History.
Lee's army left to Virginia after not being able to break through Union allies. Because McClellan did not defeat Lee's weak and retreating army, Lincoln removed McClellan as a commander of the Union army.
This was a decisive battle since it stopped the Confederates from getting what they needed: recognition and aid from a foreign power. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
A more aggressive general replaced McClellan, Ambrose Burnside. Lincoln discovered that his reckless and aggressive tactics were not much better than McClellan's inaction and caution. Burnside's army attacked Lee's army at Fredericksburg, VA and suffered immense losses compared to the Confederate army. -
Thomas Stonewall Jackson
He was a Confederate commander during the Civil War. Very well known thanks to his intelligence and tactics. He was accidentally shot at the Battle of Chancellorsville by Confederate forces and had to get his arm amputated. He died eight days after due to health complications. His death was a major setback for the Confederate Forces and the Confederate people in general. -
Appomatox Court House
Confederates tried to negotiate for peace with the Union, but Lincoln would not accept anything short of restoration of the Union and Davis nothing less than independence. Lee retreated and tried to escape to the mountains. However, he was caught and forced to surrender at Appomatox Court House to Grant. Grant treated Lee with respect and allowed his men to return home. -
Lincoln's Assassination
During Lincoln's second inaugural address, he wanted the South to be treated nicely. "With malice toward none; with charity for all."
On April 14, John WIlkes Booth, a Southern sympathizer, shot and killed Lincoln at Ford's Theater. Secretary of State, William Seward was wounded. Northerners were infuriated with the South, which wasn't good for the South since they needed 'peace' with the North.
The effect was widely perceived once the 2 sections had to deal with the Reconstruction problems. -
Sherman's March
