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Cotton Gin Invented
Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, revolutionizing the industry and leading to an exponential increase in immigrated slave labor from Africa -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise, which admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, and set the 36 30 line. -
Frederick Douglass Writes Autobiography
This book was extremely important to abolitionists in the North, as, much like Uncle Tom's Cabin, it humanized the issue of slavery. -
Mexican-American War
After the annexation of Texas, Polk led his American men into disputed territory between the Nueces and the Rio Grande, which led to Mexican forces firing on them. This led to the annexation of much Mexican land, giving the US California, Utah, and New Mexico as well as settling the Texas border dispute. The argument surrounding what to do in these states led to the compromise of 1850 -
Compromise of 1850
Proposed by Henry Clay, the compromise which established California as a free state, Utah and New Mexico given statehood and allowed to be a popular sovereignty in regards to slavery. In return for the South, it amended the Fugitive Slave Act, allowing for the return of escaped slaves. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin is written
Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, this novel made many understand deeper the life of a slave, and the immoralities. It sold extremely well in the North. -
Lincoln Elected
Lincoln won the election of 1860, which directly led to 7 southern states seceding from the union even before he was sworn in -
Battle of Fort Sumter
The first battle of the civil war, Lincoln sent supplies to Fort Sumter, leading to an attack by Confederate soldiers on the fort. -
Battle of Bull Run
In the first major battle, inexperienced Northern soldiers led by General Irvin attacked inexperienced Southern soldiers led by General Beuregard outside of Richmond. It was a decisive Southern victory -
Battle of Belmont
Grant led his soldiers to the small confederate outpost of Belmont. These soldiers eventually formed the nucleus of Grant's army in Tennessee. The Battle of Belmont, against Polk's confederate troops, was the first battle test for these men. -
Battle of Shiloh
Grants Army of Tennessee battled Sidneys confederate army outside of Shiloh, this was seen as a major victory for the South -
Battle of Fredericksburg
Lee's men massacred the Union army at Fredericksburg, one of the most one-sided attacks of the war. This was a massive blow to the Union, both at war and in the minds of those in the North -
Siege of Vicksburg
In the last battle of the Vicksburg campaign, Grant laid siege upon the last confederate fortress on the Mississippi river. This was the turning point of the war, as supplies were cut off for the south. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Most well-known battle, due to the large amount of casualitys. Meades' Union army defeated Lee's Confederate army in the largest battle of the war. This, coupled with the surrender at Vicksburg around the same time, began the upward ascent for the Union and started the Union on winning ways -
Sherman's March
Sherman, after defeating Atlanta, began to march east, destroying many military and industrial targets on the path. This debilitated the south and led to the end of the war, as their economy was destroyed. -
Battle of Atlanta
Sherman's Union army defeated Hood's confederate army just southeast of Atlanta. This was extremely important in the North for Lincoln's reelection, as it showed that they were on the verge of victory. -
Battle of Sailors Creek
The final major battle between Grant and Lee, a resounding victory for Grant which directly led to the end of the war. Lincoln stated that if the battle was won, it would lead to the end of the Confederacy and this came true. -
Surrender
After the battle at Sailors Creek, Lee was dealing with such heavy losses that he simply tried to escape with his men, but Grant outmanuvered him and eventually cornered him at Appomattox, where he signed the terms for military surrender. This signified the end of the war.
