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Civil War and Reconstruction
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Compromise of 1850
California was admitted as a free state. Land taken from Mexico would be subject to popular soveriengty on slavery. Texas gave up land. The slave trade was abolished in D.C. The Fugutive Slave Act was strengthened. -
Secession Begins
South Carolina became the first Southern state to seceede from the Union -
Confederate States of America formed
The new southern United States are formed and the Civil War is that much closer to begining. -
Lincoln's Inauguration
Abe Lincoln was sworn into office and became the president that would oversee the Civil War. -
Fort Sumter attacked
The south attacked Fort Sumter. This was the official start of the Civil War. -
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Attack on Fort Sumter
The attack on Fort Sumter by the South was the official start of the Civil War. -
New Orleans Surrendered
The city of New Orleans surrendered to the Northern forces, giving the North a major port in the south. First major victory for the North. -
First Battle of Bull Run
First battle of the Civil War. -
Battle of Antietam
One of the bloodiest battles in the war. Resulted in a victory for the North. Resulted in McCellan being dismissed by Lincoln. -
Central Pacific Railroad Construction
One of the most important railroads in the country began construction. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Crucial battle in the war. Lee attempted to invade the North, and General George C. Meade stopped him. -
Gettysburg Address
Four months after the Battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln spoke at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery at Gettysburg. He discussed the founding principles of the United States and memorialized the lives of the fallen soldiers in that battle who died to preserve American democracy. -
Lincoln's 10 percent plan
Lincoln began to theorize plans for readmitting the South before the war was over. It required 10 percent of a state's population to take an oath of allegience to the Union, abolish slavery, and give many of the freed slaves suffrage in order for a state to be readmitted. Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee joined under this system. His plan was not approved by Congress. -
Wade-Davis Bill
This plan, created by radical Republicans, was their alternative to Lincoln's 10 percent plan. It required a majority of a state's population to take an oath of allegience, abolish slavery and ratify the 13th Amendment in order for a state to be readmitted. It was passed, and readmitted all of the southern states. -
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Sherman's March to the Sea
General Sherman led a violent path of destruction through the South from Atlanta to Savannah. -
Robert E. Lee surrenders to the North
Lee surrendered, effectively ending the Civil War. -
Death of Lincoln
Abe Lincoln was assassinated at Ford's Theater by John Booth. -
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Johnson's "Restoration"
New president Andrew Johnson revealed his plan for Reconstruction. It was very similar to the Wade-Davis Bill, but was ended by Congress when they reconvened. -
Thirteenth Amendment takes effect.
The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery. -
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Radical Reconstruction
Congressional Reconstruction was Congress's way of readmitting the South. It was a series of 3 bills that divided up the South into 5 military districts for reorganization. All previously readmitted states (except Tennessee) were rejected. It ended with the Compromise of 1877 and ultimately failed. -
Fourteenth Amendment takes effect
The 14th Amendment granted birthright citzenship to anyone born in the United States. -
Fifteenth Amendment takes effect
The 15th Amendment granted universal suffrage to any citizen regardless of "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." -
Compromise of 1877
This compromise removed Northern troops occupying the South and gave the control of many Southern state governments back to Southern Democrats. It was agreed to by the North to avoid a filibuster by a Southern Democrat to a new bill. It effectively ended Reconstruction.