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Lincoln elected president (1st term)
In the election of 1860, the Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln won with 180 electoral votes, out of a four way election. The candidates include Stephan Douglas from the Northern Democrats, John Breckinridge from the Southern Democrats, and John Bell from the Constitutional Union Party. His position on slavery signaled to the south that there was no hope in trying to maintain the Union. -
First Southern States Secedes
Following Lincoln's election, South Carolina was the first state to secede the Union. Throughout January and February, six other states seceded: Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas. These deep Southern States were know for their high production of cotton and were dependent on slaves.The North was left confused and didn't know what to do. President Buchanan said that the states had no right to secede, yet the federal government did not have authority to stop them. -
Formation of the Confederate States of America
The Confederacy, consisting of the seceded states from the Union, formed this nation in February of 1861. They adopted their constitution in March, and Jefferson Davis was elected president. Their constitution was very similar to the Union's, but it explicitly allowed slavery, and acknowledged the sovereignty of the states. The Confederacy was declared illegal by the Union, who rejected the states' secession from the Union. -
Second Confiscation Act
This act declared the slaves of Confederacy military officials free, even though it could only be enforced in areas occupied by the Union. As this act passed, it was recognized that emancipation of the slaves was a goal of the war, giving radical Republicans more power in their party. Lincoln soon became the leader of emancipation. -
1st Battle of Bull Run
The first battle of the Civil War took place in Manassas, Virginia. This Southern victory, lead by P. G. T. Beauregard, lead the North to become disheartened and broke the illusion that this would be a short war. -
First Income Tax
To afford the war, the Union government issued an income tax for the first time, with the Revenue Act. Its starting rates were 3% tax on annual incomes over $800, and went as high as 10% on incomes above $5000. This only raised a portion of the needed money for the war, so the government also had the borrow and distribute paper money. -
First Confiscation Act
This act gave the Union the right to confiscate slaves that were fighting or working for the Confederacy. This act had little effect, but showed that freeing slaves was a goal of the war. -
Trent Affair
This international crisis took place when Charles Wilkes of the USS San Jacinto stopped the British ship, Trent, and arrested the two confederate diplomats who were headed for England. This upset the British and they demanded an apology, and threatening war. The Union could not afford a second war, so after a few weeks the diplomats were released, and Britain received an informal apology. -
Monitor v. Merrimac
This was the famous sea battle between the South's Merrimac, a steamboat plated in iron, and the North's Monitor, an ironclad. Neither ship sunk, but the Merrimac no longer attacked the North's blockade. This showed a new form of technology for battles at sea. -
Shiloh
A victory for the North lead by Grant, where the North gained control od Mississippi, several railroads and the Mississippi River as far as Memphis. Although the South overpowered the North on the first day, the North was reinforced and came back to win the battle on the second day. This battle had about 23,000 casualties. -
Capture of New Orleans
A fleet of ironclad and wooden ships lead by David G. Farragut, attacked New Orleans by coming up from the Gulf of Mexico. The Confederacy was surprised, and surrendered on April 25. This gave the Union control of the South's most important port, and served as a turning point in the war. -
Homestead/ Morrill Land Grant Acts
These acts promoted ecomonic development in western America by the unchallenged Republican government. The Homestead Act let citizens claim 160 acres, then purchase it for a small fee. The Morrill Land Grant gave public land to state governments so that they could sell them, and use the money for public education. These acts helped more people more to the west, and since there were no Southerners in the government, there was no debate over whether or not there would be slavery. -
Battle of Vicksburg
In the spring of 1862, General Grant attempted to capture the city of Vicksburg in Mississippi. The city surrendered on July 4, which split the South in half, and gave the Union control of the Mississippi River. -
Harper's Ferry
This was a major victory for the Confedarate army. They were lead by "Stonewall" Jackson, who surrounded the Union garrison, and captured it at little cost to themselves. While Confederate troop were at Harper's Ferry, Lee's troops were fighting the battle of Anietam. These troops joined up with Lee's, and helped them retreat. -
Antietam
This battle was the bloodiest one-day engagement, taking place by Antietam Creek. The battle took place between the Confederacy's Robert E Lee and the Union's George B. McClellan, who was hesitant to attack the separated Confederate army, and let them them combine before attacking. In all 6,000 soldiers died, and 17,000 were injured. After this battle, McClellan was replaced due to his wasted oppertunity to have a greater victory. -
Suspending the Writ of Habeas Corpus
The Constitution states that it's legal for the government to suspend the right of Habeas Corpus, the right to a speedy trial and proof that the arrest is lawful, in cases of rebellion or in the need of public safety. It was suspended in 1862 due to the anti draft riots. Lincoln permitted authorities to arrest those who were rumored to be against the Union without any evidence. Lincoln did this to suppress all opposition, so that no one could defy his authority, arresting more than 13,000 people -
Emancipation Proclamation
After announcing his intention to free all the slaves in the Confederacy, President Licoln signed this proclamation, declaring the slaves in the Confederacy free. This did not apply to states already under the Union's control, or the border states. This proclamation also accepted blacks into the Union army, which increased their numbers. The Emancipation Proclamation made it clear that the war was about the freedom of slaves, and gave the Union moral strength. -
National Draft Law instated
The Union needed troops for war, and volunteer basis did not produce enough. This act made almost all males between the ages of 20 and 45 eligible to be drafted.This act caused civil unrest, such as the New York draft riots. -
Capture of Atlanta
Sherman and his army captured Atlanta dispite the Confederacy's attempts to bring them away from there. The victory was a blow to Southern morale, but raised the Northern's spirits, and help re-elect President Lincoln. -
Lincoln's Re-election
Due to the heavy losses in the war, the Republican party were losing popularity. They tried to join up with other parties, who were also for the war, they formed the Union Party. President Lincoln was the candidate for the Union, while George B. McClellan was the Democratic candidate. Lincoln won the race, partly due to the North's victories in the war right before the election. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
General Sherman's destructive march to the Pacific Ocean which began in Atlanta, and finished in Savannah a month later. He did this to break the morale of the people and show the Confederacy could not protect them. He destroyed all land in his way, and cut off the people from their supplies. "War is all hell" he said, meaning to make it hell for the enemy at any cost. -
13th Amendment
This Amandment abolished slavery in the United States. It was ratified by most states in 1865. Slaves in America were finally freed. -
Capture of Richmond
After the Union captured an important railroad junction, Lee's army knew that they were about to lose Richmond. He tried to retreat, but the Union army pursued him, and captured Richmond, setting it on fire. This lead for Lee to surrender to Grant. -
Surrender at Appomattox
After losing Richmond, Lee surrendered to Grant in a private home in Appomattox Court House, Virginia. Nine days later, Johnston surrendered to Sherman. The war was over, at least for the military. -
Lincoln's Assassination
While attending a show at Ford's Theater, John Wilkes Booth shot President Lincoln in the head. Booth had been a Southern sympathizer. Lincoln died the next day at 7:22 AM, shocking America a few days after the close of the Civil War.