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Trent Affair
While fighting in the Civil War, off the coast of Cuba, Confederate soldiers boarded the Trent on its journey to England. The Union overtook the ship, taking the confederates back, but allowing the ship to continue to England. It angered England that their ship had been boarded. In order to avoid war with England, Lincoln freed the southern captives. -
The Battle of Shiloh
In this battle fought in Tennessee the Confederate forces threatened to defeat the unprepared Union forces. Overall it weakened the confederate forces for battles to come. The battle also served as a sign that the continuation of the war would be long and brutal. -
The Seven Days Battle
In this battle fought in Virginia General Lee's forces took the offensive against McClellan's Union forces. Lee's victory in the Seven Days would mean that the savage fighting of the Civil War would continue for 3 more hard years as he forced the Union to evacuate the region. -
The Battle of Antietam
This battle fought in Maryland was the first battle to occur on Union territory. Overall the battle was the bloodiest single day battle of the Civil War. The battle gave Lincoln the victory he desired before issuing the Emancipation Proclamation. -
The Battle of Fredericksburg
Fought in Virginia between Union general Burnside, and Confederate general Lee, was won by Confederate troops. Union casualties doubled those of the Confederates. The battle damaged Union morale, while boosting the Confederacy's after Lee's loss at Antietam. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The passing of this document by Abraham Lincoln declared all slaves residing in states of rebellion to be free. It boosted Union morale, and also allowed blacks to now open list in the Union army, but greatly angered the Confederacy Ultimately it changed the Union's objective in the Civil War from reuniting the North and South to abolishing slavery as well. -
The Battle of Vicksburg
The Union victory at Vicksburg gave complete control of the Mississippi River to the Union, cutting the Confederacy into two. Along with the battle, there was also a siege lasting from May to July, cutting the South of supplies. Up until this point, Vicksburg had been a Confederate stronghold, and the loss significantly weakened the South. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
Within the Battle of Gettysburg, there were more casualties among both sides than any other battle in the Civil War. The battle is often considered the turning point of the war as Union General Meade defeated Confederate General Lee's forces in thier attempt to invade the North. The three day battle ended with Pickett's Charge; an unsuccessful last attempt by the Confederates to win the battle. -
New York Draft Riots
The riots occurred in New York because the working class men were upset by the new laws passed by Congress to draft men to fight in the Civil War. Under these laws, men could pay a fee to be exempt from the draft, favoring the richer class. The riots remain the largest violent civil disturbance in American history to date. -
The Gettysburg Address
Lincoln gave this infamous speech at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery at Gettysburg. His speech commemorated the efforts of the valiant soldiers who died at the Battle of Gettysburg; often considered the turning point of the war. In addition it reaffirmed the principles on which the nation was established, reminding the people what they're fighting for. -
Lincoln Proposes 10% Plan
The plan decreed that any southern state could be readded to the Union if 10% of the 1860 election vote count from that state had taken an oath of allegiance to the U.S. and pledged to abide by Emancipation. Tennessee, Arkansas, and Lousisana were readmitted to the Union in this manner. Tha plan shortened the war and provided a moderate peaceful plan, while also working toward emancipation. -
Battle of Fort Pillow
In the battle fought in Tennessee, over 300 African American soldiers were massacred, causing this to one of the most controversial events of the Civil War. The Union surrendered, so the soldiers should've been taken as prisoners of war, but instead the Confederates killed many of them and refused to treat them like traditional prisoners. This led the North to not participate in future prisoner exchanges because they were infuriated by the event. -
Battle of the Wilderness
This battle was the first of the offensive march of the Union, led by Ulysses Grant, toward the confederate capital Richmond. The battle ended in a draw, significantly weakening Union forces. However, Grant refused to retreat and commanded his troops to keep pushing towards Richmond. -
Wade-Davis Bill
The bill was proposed by Congress as an alternative to the 10 percent plan, but Lincoln pocket-vetoed it. The bill permitted states to renter the Union if a majority in the state took the ironclad oath stating that they'd never supported the Confederacy. Lincoln vetoed this because he believed it would not solve the ties between the Union and the Confederacy. -
The Fall of Atlanta
Led by Union General William Sherman, after ordering evacuation of the city, he burned it to the ground. After taking the city, Sherman proceeded to lead his march toward Savannah in Sherman's March to the Sea. The battle is known for its political significance in that it aided the reelection of Lincoln over McClellan. -
The Battle of Nashville
The battle represented the end of large scale fighting on the Western Theatre during the Civil War. Fought between Union general George Thomas and Confederate general John Bell Hood, the Union victory was one of the largest achieved by them during the Civil War. -
Freedman' Bureau is founded
Lincoln created this bureau to oversee the difficult transition of African Americans from slavery to freedom. Although in the long term it was not effectively able to protect blacks, it introduced the federal governemnt to social welfare issues and labor issues. -
Lincoln's Assassination
Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth while watching a play at Ford's Theatre. Wilkes was a confederate sympathizer, who killed Lincoln in protest of the Union's actions. He has prior plans to kidnap him, but once he did not show up he shot him at the theatre. The event is revealing of the strong tension over Civil War conflicts. -
13th, 14th, 15th Amendments pass
The 13th amendment officially abolished slavery within the United States, while the 14th granted citizenship to men of all races. The 15th prevented states from discriminating voters on regards to race. Although they made men equal under law, segregation would last for many years to come. The 13th was ratified in 1865, the 14th in 1866, and the 15th in 1869. -
KKK founded
Founded in Pulaski, Tennessee, the secret society consisted of Confederate war veterans. The groups goal was to slow reconstruction in the South with violence, specifically targeting African Americans. -
Civil Rights Act of 1866
This was the first law passed that affirmed all citizens were equally protected under the law. The law was mainly passed in regards to African Americans, just after the Civil War. Although Johnson vetoed it, Congress overturned the veto with a 2/3 majority making the bill a law. -
States begin to pass Black Codes
These codes were passed in southern states in attempt to restrict the rights and freedoms of African Americans. These codes popped up as quickly after the Civil War ended, bearing great hardship to the newly freed African Americans. -
1st Reconstruction Act
The act split the southern states into 5 districts, and each one had a northern general to protect life and property within it. It also demanded the need for new state delegates and constitutions, the ratification of the Fourteenth amendment, and the provisions of equal rights for each citizen. The act passed despite Johnson's veto as he feared it would create more conflict with southern states, as it did robbing them of certain freedoms. -
Impeachment of Johnsom
Johnson was removed on account of eleven articles of impeachment. As it turned out after trial, he was one vote short from being evicted from office. The event was one of the most dramatic during the reconstruction period. -
Hayes-Tilden Compromise
The comprise settled the dispute over the 1876 election. Republican Rutherford B. Hayes was awarded the White House over Democrat Samuel J. Tilden on the understanding that Hayes would remove the federal troops whose support was essential for the survival of Republican state governments in South Carolina, Florida and Louisiana. The passing of the act led to the end of reconstruction and the beginning of segregation. -
End of Reconstruction
Reconstruction came to an end in 1877 when Hayes withdrew the final troops from the South. As it came to an end, the civil rights promised to blacks disappeared as they now faced a new era of extreme segregation.
