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Abraham Lincoln- new President
Abraham Lincoln is elected 16th president of the United States, the first Republican president in the nation who represents a party that opposes the spread of slavery in the territories of the United States. -
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The Civil War
By: Rebecca Mares -
Confederate States of America is created
The southern states that seceded from the Union create a government at Montgomery, Alabama- and the Confederate States of America are formed. -
President Lincoln's Inaguration
At Lincoln's inauguration, he said he had no plans to end slavery in the states where it already existed, but he also said he would not accept secession. He hoped to resolve the national crisis without war. -
Start of Civil War
At 4:30 AM Confederates under General Pierre Beauregard open fire with 50 cannons on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. The War Between The States begins. -
More Southern States Secede
President Lincoln issues a public declaration that a rebellion exists and calls for 75,000 militia to stop the rebellion. As a result of this call for volunteers, four more southern states secede from the Union in the following weeks. -
Union's first capture
The Union naval forces capture Fort Hatteras in North Carolina. This is significant because it's the first Union effort to close southern ports along the Carolina coast. -
Surrender of Fort Henry
The surrender of Fort Henry, Tennessee. Because of this loss of the southern fort on the Tennessee River, it opened the door to Union control of the river. -
Battle of Roanoke Island
Battle of Roanoke Island, North Carolina- a Confederate defeat. The battle resulted in Union occupation of eastern North Carolina and control of Pamlico Sound. This was an advantage for the North because now they could easily fight against the southern coast. -
Confederate President elected
Jefferson Davis is inaugurated as President of the Confederate States of America. -
Battle of Memphis
Battle of Memphis, Tennessee. A Union fleet successfully defeats a Confederate river force and Memphis surrenders. The Mississippi River is now in Union control! -
The Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam, Maryland- the bloodiest day of the Civil War. The result of the battle ends General Lee's first invasion of the North. Following the Union victory, President Lincoln will introduce the Emancipation Proclamation, an executive order that will free every slave in the Confederate States. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation goes into effect- this freed all slaves in the Confederate States. Many abolitionists including Frederick Douglass, are thrilled. However, there are others who feel it is not enough to end slavery. -
The Gettysburg Campaign
Confederate- General Lee defeated Union forces at Winchester, Virginia, and continued north to Pennsylvania- defeating Union territory. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It lasts 3 days, and is the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. It was the turning point of the Civil War for one main reason: the plan Robert E. Lee had to invade the North and force an end to the war failed. If Lee had succeeded, the United States would have been forced to accept peace with the Confederates and slavery would still exist today! -
Capture of Vicksburg
Vicksburg, Mississippi, surrenders to the Union Army. This capture gives the Union complete control of the Mississippi River, a vital supply line for the Confederate states in the west. At Gettysburg, Lee begins his retreat to Virginia. -
Draft Riots in NYC
Draft Riots begin in New York City and elsewhere as unhappy workers and laborers, furious over the draft system that favors the rich, attack the draft office and African American churches. The riots continue for 3 days. -
Gettysburg Address
President Abraham Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address. It is a speech dedicated to the Soldier's National Cemetery, a cemetery for Union soldiers killed at the Battle Of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. -
Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction
Lincoln issues his Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction, which would pardon those who participated in the "existing rebellion" if they take an oath to the Union. -
Ulysses S. Grant- new lieutenant general
Ulysses S. Grant is appointed lieutenant general, a rank revived at the request of President Lincoln. Grant takes over command of all Union Armies in the field the following day. -
Atlanta Campaign
Beginning of the Atlanta Campaign. With 3 Union armies under his command, General William T. Sherman marched South from Tennessee into Georgia against the Confederate Army of Tennessee under General Joseph Johnston, the goal was to capture the city of Atlanta. -
Battle of Jonesborough
Battle of Jonesborough, Georgia. This was the final southern counterattack against Union troops outside the city of Atlanta fails. -
President Lincoln re-elected
Abraham Lincoln is re-elected president of the United States. -
"March to the Sea"
General Sherman's Army of Georgia begins the "March to the Sea." -
President Abraham Lincoln is inagurated a second time
President Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated for his second term as president in Washington, DC. -
The Fall of Petersburg and Richmond
The Fall of Petersburg and Richmond. General Lee abandons both cities and moves his army west in hopes of joining Confederate forces under General Johnston in North Carolina. -
Confederates surrender- Civil War Ends!
Battle of Appomattox Court House and Surrender, Appomattox Court House, Virginia. After an early morning attempt to break through Union forces blocking the route west to Danville, Virginia, General Lee seeks an audience with General Grant to discuss terms. That afternoon, General Lee signs the document of surrender. On April 12, the Army of Northern Virginia formerly surrenders and is disbanded.
