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Missouri Compromise
Established a line at the 36°30' parallel between the North, the free states, and the South, the slave states, admitted Missouri to the Union as a slave state. -
Compromise of 1850
A set of laws that attempted to favor both slavery supporters and opposers. It was introduced by Henry Clay. -
Publication of Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin
An anti-slavery novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe that, within three months, sold 300,000. It was so popular that when Abraham Lincoln met her, he said "So this is the little lady who made this big war." The novel was one of the major causes of the Civil War. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
A bill that mandated popular sovereignty. This led to conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers, which then led to the incident known as Bleeding Kansas, and then the Civil War. -
John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry
A failed attempt to establish an independent stronghold of freed slaves in the mountains of Maryland and Virginia by John Brown and an armed band of abolitionists. This increased even more tension between the North and the South before the Civil War. -
Dred Scott Decision
A Supreme Court decision brought by Dred Scott, where he argues that because of the time he spent in a free state, he was entitle to emancipation. The Chief Justice Roger B. Taney disagreed, however, and Dred Scott was denied his freedom. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
Seven open-air debates held through out the state of Illinois on the issue of slavery. These were challenged by Abraham Lincoln to Stephen A. Douglas. -
Election of Abraham Lincoln to Presidency
Abraham Lincoln is elected as the 16th president of the United States after losing the Senate race. -
Secession of South Carolina
South Carolina is the first state to secede from the U.S. after the election of Abraham Lincoln. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
Where the first shots are fired in the Civil War by the Confederates. Union Major Robert Anderson and 86 soldiers surrendered the fort after they were bombarded by the Confederates. -
1st Battle of Bull Run
A battle at the small river, Bull Run. The Confederates win, shocking the North, who came to the realization that victory in the war won't be as easy as they hoped. -
Battle of Merrimac and Monitor
The first ever duel between ironclad warships. It was part of an effort by the Confederates to break the Union blockade of Southern ports, such as Norfolk and Richmond, Virginia. This battle started a new era in naval warfare. -
Battle of Shiloh
One of the major earlier battles of the Civil War. Both sides suffered major loss, with the Union winning. -
2nd Battle of Bull Run
A Union force led by John Pope clashed against Stonewall Jackson, both suffering heavy losses. When the Confederates launched a counterattack, John Pope was forced to withdraw his army to Washington. -
Battle of Antietam
The bloodiest single day in American history when President Lincoln was able to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. It's also the first battle in the Civil War to be fought in the North. -
Emancipation Proclamation
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Battle of Chancellorsville
This battle was the greatest victory of Robert E. Lee, a Confederate general, during the Civil War. This was also when Stonewall Jackson was wounded by one of his men. -
Battle of Vicksburg
The Union forces fought to capture the Confederate stronghold at Vicksburg, Mississippi. This was one of the Union's greatest victories, and it proved Ulysses S. Grant's military genius. -
Battle of Gettysburg
One of the most important battles in the Civil War. Confederate forces suffered major losses during "Pickett's Charge." In a rainy night, Robert E. Lee withdrew his decimated forces. This victory of the Union will turn the tide of the war in their favor. -
Gettysburg Address
One of the most important speeches in American history, delivered at the National Cemetery of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania by Abraham Lincoln. -
Atlanta Falls
William T. Sherman leaves destruction in Atlanta, Georgia, an important territory for the Confederates. -
13th Amendment
This amendment abolished slavery. -
Lee surrenders, Appomattox Court House
Robert E. Lee surrenders at Appomattox, Virginia, when they were nearly surrounded at the village. -
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
John Wilkes Booth shot President Lincoln on the back of the head at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C during a play. -
14th Amendment
This amendment granted all African Americans and slaves who had been freed after the Civil War. -
15th Amendment
This amendment granted African Americans the right to vote. -
End of Reconstruction
Caused by the passing of the Compromise of 1877 and the removal of the rest of the federal troops from the South.