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Harpers Ferry
John Brown, a dedicated abolitionist, raided Harpers Ferry, targeted the arsenal and hoped to gain support from the local slaves in order to lead an uprising against slavery. He was later sentenced to death. This incident helped fuel the idea that Northerners would ruin the Southern way of life if given the chance. -
Lincoln Elected for the First Time
On this date Lincoln was elected for the first time as the 16th President of the United States. His election triggered the sucession of seven states, with four more following after he was inaugurated. -
South Secedes
With the election of Lincoln in 1860 many southerners feared their way of life may be at risk. 11 states chose to leave the Union, the first being South Carolina on December 20, 1860. -
Confederate States of America Established
This was the government established by the 11 states which seceded from the Union. They kept many of the same democratic values of the North but did make sure to keep slavery. -
Habeas Corpus Suspended
John Merryman is arrested for trying to stop Union troops from moving from Baltimore to Washington. His attorney decided to use habeas corpus and have a judge look at the evidence, but Lincoln suspends it, saying that this is the only way to beat the South. -
First Battle of Bull Run
First ground battle of the Civil War. The Union retreated and lost. This battle showed that both sides needed to improve their military ability and that the war would not be as easily won as the North thought. -
First Confiscation Act
It stated that any property belonging to confederates used in war could be seized by federal forces. Any slaves used by their masters to benefit the war would be freed. -
Trent Affair
Charles Wilkes, a Navy officer, captures two confederate envoys on the British ship, the Trent. Great Britain accused the U.S of violating their neutrality. This caused diplomatic distress between the two nations. -
Monitor v. Merrimac
This was the first battle between two ironclad ships; the North sporting their Monitor and the South with the Merrimac. The battle, also know as the Battle of Hampton Roads, was fought near Hampton Roads, Virginia. -
Shiloh
The second great battle of the Civil War, and a victory for the North, although both sides suffered massive amounts of casualties. -
Capture of New Orleans
This was the date when Union Troops took over New Orleans. The capture was a massive blow to the Confederacy. -
Homestead Act
The Homestead Act encouraged Western migration by providing settlers 160 acres of public land. In exchange, homesteaders paid a small filing fee and were required to complete five years of residence before receiving ownership of the land. -
Morrill Act
This act was a major boost to higher education in America. The grant was originally set up to establish institutions is each state that would educate people in agriculture, home economics, mechanical arts, and other practical studies. -
Second Confiscation Act
It stated that slaves of civilian and military Confederate officials “shall be forever free,” but it was enforceable only in areas of the South occupied by the Union Army. This was basically an emanciipation proclaimation. -
First Income Tax
In order to support the Civil War effot the nation enacted its first income tax. -
Antietam
The bloodiest single day battle in American history, but also a turning point in the war for the Union. It allowed Lincoln to make his Emancipation Proclamation. Fought near Sharpsburg, Maryland. -
Emancipation Proclamation
After the Union victory in Antietam, Lincoln announces all slaves in the rebelling states would be free. His goal was to injure the confederacy, threaten its property, heighten its dread, hurt its morale. -
National Draft Law Instated
This was the first nation-wide draft in the North, and it came almost exactly a year after the draft was enacted in the South. Many states did begin drafting in 1862, but this was the first law passed by congress. The difference in times between the North and South, and when they passed conscription acts, may be an insight into the enthusiam for the war on both sides. -
Last Battle of Vicksburg
This battle marked the end of a long seige of Vicksburg, one of the last Confederate strongholds on the Mississippi River. It, coupled with the win at Gettysburg, was a major moral booster for the Union Troops. -
Capture of Atlanta
Union forces, under Sherman, defeated Confederate forces defending the city. They proceeded to burn the whole city, regardless if the infasctructure was involved militarily. This began Shermans March to the Sea. -
Lincoln's Re-election
Lincoln won this time with overwhelming support for his policies. His re-election solidified the fact that there would be no negotiated end to the war. -
Sherman's March To The Sea
From this date until December 21, 1864, Sherman marched his troops over 200 miles from Atlanta to Savannah. His goal was to frighten the Georgian people into abondoning the Confederacy. While he didn't burn all the places he came across there was some looting. -
Capture of Richmond
After ten months of trying to capture the Confederate capital, General Grant is finally able to do it. This is a sure sign to the Union that the Confederacy is weak and nearing it's last leg. -
Surrender at Appomattox
General Lee realized there was little hope, and that he may have to surrender his army to General Grant. They two decided to meet at Appomattox Courthouse. This was the signal that the war was close to an end. -
Lincoln Assassinated
Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth, an actor and Confederate supporter, on the night of April 14, 1865 in Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C. It came just days after Lee surrendered at the Appottomax Courthouse. Lincoln would die in the morning hours of the 15th of April, 1865. -
The 13th Amendment Ratified
This was the amendment which officially ended slavery in the states. "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."