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Abraham Lincoln is Elected
The majority of the votes came from the north because it was more populated. Lincoln won because of this. Lincoln won without any Southern electoral votes, angering the south and eventually leading to the secession of seven Southern states. -
Lower South Secedes
South justifieds seceding by claiming (like the declaration zsays) that a people have the right to overflow an abusive government. also, that they were formed through a state compact ( states made the cionstitiution so. The could make it.) -
Firing on Fort Sumter
South fires on union fort in Charleston harbor South Carolina -
Lincolns first inaugural
Lincolns efforts to reassure the south that he does not reopreaent a threat to them or at a very. Lincoln also argues that a compact cannot be broken unless BOTH sides. -
Upper South Secedes
After firing on ft. Sumter 4 states of the upper south secede. -
Battle of Bull Run/ 1st Manassas
North was confident that they would win. North underestimated the South. North realizes it won't be a short war -
Antietem - "War of Anttrition"
Battle was the first in the war of attrition. (When one army inflicts continuous losses of soldiers and materials that add up to an unbearable burden for the other side) over 50,000 casualty rate at the battle. Lee loses 1/4 of his army but is called to escape, General McClellen does not peer his advantsge - is fired. The South hope for foreign intervention is limited by this loss. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Freed slaves as of January 1st 1863 in areas of "open rebellion" issued by Lincoln. Though the Emancipation Proclamation didn't free any slaves it is significant because it changed the goal of the war for the North - the goal was to end slavery. A MORAL issue. Also, it prevented foreign intervention - Britain and France didn't want to be seen as supporting slavery. -
Battle of Gerttysburg
Took place is Pennsylvania it was a 3 day battle . There was a high casualty rate. "The bloddiest battle of the war" Fierce battle that turned at the fighting of Big and Little Round Top. Significant because Lee was never on the offensive against. And the south had no hopes of foreign intervention. Lincoln wins reelection overwhelmingly. -
Gettysburg Address
Speech given by Abraham Lincoln at the battlefield at Gettysburg for the purpose of dedicating the cemetery. Reinforces the idea that the war is being faught for a moral cause - end slavery. ("All men are created equal.") And draws the connection between the aims of the war and the idea of popular sovereignty. ("Of the people,by the people, for the people.") -
Sherman's March to the Sea
Sherman, a union general. Marched from Atlanta to Savannah with a goal of destroying the South so they could no longer fight. This is called total war - when one side attacks every aspect of the other side, including civilian population, economic resources and not just military targets. This caused a lot f resentment on the part of the South. -
Lee's Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse
Tone of the surrender was one of sadness, a bittersweet victory for the North. For example, meeting was subdued, Grant offers rations to Lee's men, terms of surrender were generous - Confederates could keep sidearms and horses. Tone is a result of now they have to rebuild and become countrymen once again. -
Lincoln Assassinated
Assassination takes place 5 days later after Lee's surrender and just a month into Lincoln's 2nd term. Assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Is going to affect the reconstruction of the country.