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November 6th Abraham Lincoln is elected the first Republican President (the 16th President of the United States) without carrying a single Southern vote. December 20th South Carolina, one of the richest states in the country, is the first to secedes from the Union. Followed within two months by Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas.
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https://youtu.be/gaUgPoyI_Mg
February 9th
Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas form the Confederate States of America, elect Jefferson Davis (a West Point graduate and former U.S. Army officer) as their president and draft a constitution which impressionists that of the United States except for an explicit endorsement of slavery. -
March 4th
Abraham Lincoln is elected as 16th President of the United States of America. He argues that the Union is perpetual and must be maintained -
April 12th
The Civil War begins:
The first exchange of fire in the Civil War takes place off the coast of South Carolina at Fort Sumter, a garrison that had been occupied by Kentuckian Unionists. Lincoln, under public pressure, sends provisions to the previously unmanned garrison and notifies the Secessionists of his intentions. -
April 15th
Lincoln calls on the Northern states to supply a 75,000 strong militia that would serve for three months to restore the Union, and summons a special session of Congress for July 4. -
Hostilities at Fort Sumter force Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee and North Carolina to side with the Confederacy. Social unity is at risk. For the rest of the conflict, Lincoln fights to hold onto the remaining Border States of Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri
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The Union Army suffers a defeat at Bull Run (25 miles southwest of Washington). Confederate Gen. THomas J. Jackson earns the nickname "Stonewall," as his brigade resists Union attacks. Union troops fall back to Washington. President Lincoln realizes the war will be long.
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British public opinion is divided over the Civil War. The beginning of an international diplomatic crisis for President Lincoln as two Confederate officials sailing toward England are seized by the U.S. Navy. England, the leading world power, demands their release, threatening war. Lincoln eventually gives in and orders their release in December.
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President Lincoln temporarily takes direct command of the Union Armies.
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Lee attacks McClellan near Richmond, resulting in very heavy losses for both armies. McClellan then begins a withdrawal back toward Washington.
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August 29th -30th:Generals Thomas J. ‘Stonewall’ Jackson and Robert E. Lee defeat the Union army and once again the Union Army retreats to Washington. The president then relieves Pope.
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September 17th:The bloodiest day of the Civil War: by nightfall 26,000 men are dead, wounded, or missing. Lee then withdraws to Virginia. September 22nd: Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves is issued by President Lincoln.
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March 3rd:The nation’s first conscription act is passed by Congress: this affects male citizens aged 20 to 45, but also exempts those who pay $300 or provide a substitute. May 10th:Stonewall Jackson dies from his wounds
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Due to anti-draft riots in New York City, at least 120 persons, including children, are killed and $2 million in damage caused, until Union soldiers returning from Gettysburg restore order.
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Lincoln arrives at Gettysburg to speak at the dedication ceremony for the Gettysburg war dead. The speech makes strong reference to the language of the Declaration of Independence and emphasises the unity of the nation.
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The last offensive for Lee's Army of Northern Virginia begins with an attack on the center of Grant's forces at Petersburg. Four hours later the attack is broken.
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A costly mistake by Grant results in 7,000 Union casualties in twenty minutes during an offensive against fortified Rebels at Cold Harbor in Virginia. Union forces miss an opportunity to capture Petersburg and cut off the Confederate rail lines. As a result, a nine month siege of Petersburg begins with Grant's forces surrounding Lee.
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Abraham Lincoln defeats Democrat George B. McClellan and is re-elected President.
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Union reinforcements arrive at the Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia and secure General Lee’s surrender. This marks the effective end of the Civil War.
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Vice President Andrew Johnson assumes the presidency.
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Abraham Lincoln´s body is laid to rest in Oak Ridge Cemetery, in Illinois. Remaining Confederate forces surrender and the Civil War ends. 620,000 Americans died in war, 1.200.000 died out of disease and 50,000 survivors turned amputees.
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Slavery is abolished.
