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Fugitive Slave Act
This act led to the increased use of the Underground Railroad because it forced officials to capture runaways. If they didn't return runaways to their masters they would face fines. This act came out of the Compromise of 1850 and added flames to the fire for abolitionists. -
Republican Party Formed
Their isn't a set date to this event, but in 1854, the Republican Party was formed. It was formed mainly by northerners enveloped in industrial life. Antislave whigs, democrats and freesoilers made up the majority of the party. -
Sumner-Brooks Affair
Charles Sumners' two day speech denounced the South for their actions revolving around Kansas. He specifically targeted South Carolina Senator Andrew Brooks in his attacks. Brooks countered by attacking him with a cane, severly injuring him. Sumner became a matry. -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott sued for his freedom on the grounds that he was a freeman taken back into the south and forced to work as a slave. His case was thrown out by the Supreme Court because blacks didn't have the right to sue. This case also decided that property (slaves) moved into free states are still slaves in the free territory. -
John Brown Raids Haper's Ferry
A radical abolitionists, John Brown led a raid on the military arsenal at Harper's Ferry. He was captured by Robert E. Lee's troops after capturing several buildings. He was tried for treason successfully and hung. -
Election of 1860
Four seperate parties ran with four individual candiates: the Democrats (the North and South), the Republicans, and the Constitutional Union Party. The Democrats split after they butted heads during the convention, this aided Abe Lincoln's victory (Republican). The Constitutional Union Party didn't support succession and consisted of conservative whigs. -
South Carolina Succeeds
The first of the Southern states to succeed, on December 20th South Carolina officially disbands from the Union. This fate had been looming for decades. Their disapproval of the Tarrif of Abominations and the Nullification Crisis foreshadowed what was to come for the state. -
Jefferson Davis Elected President of the Confederacy
When South Carolina succeeded, others followed and by Februrary of the next year, the Confederacy had been formed. Davis fought in the Mexican-American War, was a Senator and served as the Secretary of War. He served as President for the entirety of the war, from 1861 to 1865 -
Battle of Fort Sumter
In the early morning hours, Confederates opened fire on the Fort, commencing the war. The fighting continued on for over a day straight until the Union surrendered on the 13th. This was a decisive victory that gave momentum to the Confederacy during the crucial beginning stages of the war. -
Battle of Bull Run
In Farifax Virginia, just months after their victory at Fort Sumter, the Conferderacy launched another attack. Under Stonewall Jackson, they were able to send the Union men into a frenzy, forcing them to retreat back to Washington DC. The Confederate victory indicated to both sides that the war was going to be longer and more lives would be lost than previously anticipated. -
Lincoln's Plan
Otherwise known as the ten percent plan, ten percent of a southern states' population had to pledge to be loyal to the union before they could join the union. He was also going to allow generals and troops to recieve a full pardon, a very liberal gesture. This plan was enacted while the war was still ongoing, he was that confident the north would win. -
Siege of Atlanta
This was an important Union victory. It aided in Lincoln's reelection and occured in Northwestern Georgia and Atlanta. This battle forced Sherman's men northeast in a process known as the March of the Sea. -
Reelection of Lincoln
The Union victory at the Battle of Atlanta hugely aided in Lincoln's reelection. He was able to sieze the position as president once again, leading the nation to a victory. In his second term he began planning reconstruction, but he was killed before putting it into practice. -
Johnson's Plan
After Lincoln died Johnson was in charge of reconstruction. He added to the plan that each state needs to establish a government by loyal citizens. Another addition was that in addition to troops and generals, political figures of the Confederacy would receive a pardon. -
Lincoln's Assassination
Only 5 days after the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse, Lincoln was killed in Ford's Theatre. This meant that Jackson was now in power during a very telling time for the nation. He had to impliment Lincoln's plan with his own twist and try to bring the nation back together. -
Surrender at Appomattox Courthous
This maked the official end of the war and the surrender by Robert E. Lee. This surrender marked the end of the period of the Civil War and the beginning of reconstruction. Lincoln was now tasked with having to come up with how to fuse the nation back together. -
13th Amendment
This amendment completely abolished slavery. Anystate that wanted to rejoin the Union had to recognize its existence and add it into state law. This was the first amendment approved during the era of Reconstruction. -
Black Codes
During 1865 and 1866, black codes were introduced in the south. These codes were meant to stifle the freedom of blacks. They also ensured that they made low wages and remained in debt. -
Tenure of Office Act
With this act, the president could remove civil officers without senate approval. Enacted under Andrew Johnson, congress didn't approve. They tried to impeach him before he could remove anymore officials. -
Reconstruction Ends
With the introduction of the Compromise of 1877, the ear of Reconstruction was called to an end. The compromised tied most of the loose ends that the north and south were still debating. This ushered in a new era of not peace, but mutual understanding between the north and south.