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Lincoln's First Election
Lincoln's election was the immediate impetus for the outbreak of the Civil War. He secured the majority of electoral votes because of the weaknesses of the Democratic Party. -
South Secedes
The first southern state to secede from the Union was South Carolina. By March 1861, six more states had seceded: Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. -
Confederate States of America established
The nation was established during the Montgomery Convention. It originally was made up of seven states, and then eleven by the time the Civil War began. -
Writ of Habeas Corpus suspended
Abraham Lincoln suspended habeas corpus when a state legislator from Maryland was imprisoned. He was accused of attempting to hinder Union troops from moving from Baltimore to Washington. -
1st Battle of Bull Run
This was the first major battle of the Civil War. It was a victory for the Confederacy because of the slow positioning of Union forces. Their retreat was disorgnaized and chaotic. The Confederacy did not pursue them. -
First Income Tax
In the summer of 1861, the government levied an income tax for the first time. Rates eventually rose to 10 pecent on incomes above $5000. -
1st Confiscation Act
Act that permitted court proceedings for confiscation of any property being used to support the Confederate army. Lincoln was hesitant to sign this legislation, but did on August 6. -
Trent Affair
Charles Wilkes, a U.S.Navy Officer, captured two Confederate diplomats on a British ship, the Trent. This created a diplomatic crisis between Britain and the U.S. -
Monitor v. Merrimac
The Confederates constructed the Merrimac by plating a former United States frigate with iron. It attempted to attack wooden ships at Hampton, but the Monitor was able to put an end to its raids. -
Shiloh
Ulysses S. Grant lead the Union army deep into Tennessee, where they suffered a surprise attack from Beauregard and the Confederate army. However, by the second day, the Union defeated them. -
Capture of New Orleans
After fighting past Forts Jackson and St. Phillip, the Union army was unopposed in capturing New Orleans. This was a major Confederate city, which made this event a big turning point in the war. -
Homestead/Morrill Grant Acts
The Homestead Act allowed any citizen to claim 160 acres of public land and to purchase it for a small fee after living on it for five years. The Morrill Land Grant Act trasnferred public acreage to the state governments who sold the land and used the proceeds for public education. -
2nd Confiscation Act
In addition to the call for court procedings of the seizure of land from disloyal citizens, it also called for the emancipation of slaves that came under Union control. The punishment for supporting the Confederacy included imprisonment or death. -
Harper's Ferry
The battle that was part of the Maryland Campaign. Robert E. Lee invaded Maryland and captured the Union garrisson at Harper's Ferry. It was a major victory for the Confederacy. -
Antietam
A battle fought near Sharpsburg, Maryland, which was on Union territory. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Proclamation that declared forever free slaves in all areas of the Confederacy except those already under Union control. This proclamation did not apply to the border states. -
National Draft Law instated
Congress was forced to pass a national draft law by this time. All young adult males were eligible to be drafted but could avoid this by hiring someone to go in his place. -
Vicksburg
Ulysses S. Grant crossed the Mississippi River and drove the COnfederate army into the defensive lines surrounding Vicksburg. The garrison surrendered on July 4, which gave command of the Mississippi River to the Union. -
Capture of Atlanta
William T. Sherman lead the Union army in defeating Confederate forces. The city did not fall until September 2, after many attempts to seize railroads and supply lines. -
Lincoln's Re-election
Lincoln went up against George B. McClellan, the Democratic candidate. He won the majority of the popular vote. There were no electoral votes counted from the confederate states. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
The Union army, led by General Sherman, left Atlanta to capture the port of Savannah. They led this campaign through Georgia. -
Capture of Richmond
Richmond was the capital of the Confederacy for almost the entire time. It was a source of all the vital resources for the war. Ulysses S. Grant made a major offensive and Lee's army fled the city. -
Surrender at Appomattox
After Lee abandoned the captured city of Richmond, he retreated west. Union forces cut off his retreat at the Appomattox Court House, where he was forced to surrender. -
Lincoln's Assasination
John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer, fatally shot President Lincoln. This was only five days after Robert E. Lee surrendered the Confederate army. -
13th Ammendment
The Amendment that abolished slavery and involuntary solitude, except as punishment for crime. Although it abolished slavery, there were still other factors that lead to the subjugation of African Americans.