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Lincoln is Elected President
Abraham Lincoln wins the presidential race and is elected 16th president of the United States over a deeply divided Democratic Party. He was the first Republican ever to win the presidency. The other candidates were: Southern Democrat John C. Breckinridge, Confederate Union candidate John Bell, and Northern Democrat Stephen Douglas. His win enraged the South and led them to secede which would encourage other southern states to go with it, this would inevitably lead to the Civil War. -
Lincoln is Elected President- Political
Abraham Lincoln wins the presidential race and is elected 16th president of the United States over a deeply divided Democratic Party. He was the first Republican ever to win the presidency. The other candidates were: Southern Democrat John C. Breckinridge, Confederate Union candidate John Bell, and Northern Democrat Stephen Douglas. His win enraged the South and led them to secede which would encourage other southern states to go with it, this would inevitably lead to the Civil War. -
South Carolina Secedes-Political
After receiving the news that Lincoln is now their president, South Carolina takes action and decides to leave the Union. This put our nation in danger as it caused several other southern states to follow in South Carolina’s footsteps. Eventually, this would lead to the Civil War. -
South Carolina Secedes-Economic
A convention meeting was held in Charleston, South Carolina, where an ordinance was unanimously adopted to dissolve connections between South Carolina and the Union. Immediate impact was that the Confederate States of America formed and the long-term impact was that many other states would follow in seceding from the Union. Key people were Jefferson Davis who was the confederate president and senator James Henry Crittenden who proposed constitutional amendment. -
Confederacy Formed- Political
The seven states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas) that seceded wrote their own constitution, and planned on becoming an independent nation. They would form the Confederate States of America so that they might preserve slavery, state’s rights, and political liberty for whites. Jefferson Davis would become the president of the Confederate States of America. -
Morrill Tariff Act- Economic
This was an increased import tariff passed in the United States in 1861. The new law made some significant changes in how duties were assessed on goods entering the country, and it also raised rates. The act was passed by president James Buchanan, two days before he left office. Southern states did not like the Morrill Tariff Act. Southerners believed the act favored industries in the northeast and opposed to it heavily. -
Lincoln Is Inaugurated- Political
Lincoln finally enters Washington D.C. put he has to do so in disguise because of the unrest. Southerns have begun to seize federal posts (armories and forts). In his speech he attempts to reconcile with the South but he also made it clear that he intended to enforce federal law in the states that seceded. -
Fort Sumter Attacked- Politcal
After the southern states declared secession they demanded that all US property be turned over to them, including military property. The new Lincoln administration did not want to provoke armed conflict, but refused to surrender Fort Sumter (located in Charleston Harbor) and other forts when needed. There was an attempt to resupply Sumter in January but it was turned away by Rebel guns. -
Proclamation of Blockade Against Southern Ports- Economic
Abraham Lincoln issued this proclamation and it limited the rural South’s ability to stay well supplied during the war against the industrialized North. As the southern states seceded from the Union, it became difficult to have immediate access to resources which made them poorly prepared for the Civil War. This would cause a long-term impact throughout the war as they would ultimately lose to the North with their unwise tactics. -
Battles at Bull Run- Political
Gen. McDowell leads 30,000 men against Gen. Johnson's 22,000 Southern troops in an attempt to crush the rebels and go “On to Richmond.” The South wins and the Union troops flee to Washington D.C. with the weight of defeat on their backs. McDowell is then replaced with General McClellan. -
Monitor vs. Merrimac- Politcal
The Northern-built Merrimack, a conventional steam frigate, had been retrieved by the Confederates from the Norfolk navy yard and renamed it the Virginia. The Union ironclad Monitor was under the command of Lieutenant John Worden. The stage was set for the naval battle. The Virginia opened fire on the Minnesota and the Monitor appeared. Both crews lacked training and firing was ineffective. -
Battle at Antietam- Political
The Army of the Potomac, under the command of Major General George McClellan, organized a series of powerful assaults against General Robert E. Lee’s forces along Antietam Creek in Maryland. The morning attacks by the Union 1st and 12th Corps on the Confederate left flank, and Confederate counterattacks by Gen. “Stonewall” Jackson’s brigades swept back and forth through a cornfield. The second assault made by the Union Corps that pierced through the Confederate center. -
Emancipation Proclamation- Political
The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by Lincoln which declared all slaves in confederate territories free. It did not automatically free all slaves because they were in Confederate control and the citizens did not consider themselves a part of the United States so they did not follow it. The immediate impact was that it called for all slaves to be free. The long-term impact was that it was the first time in history that African-American in America were free. -
Conscription- Economic
Congress passes the Civil war conscription act on this day and it produces the first wartime draft of soldiers ever in the United States. It called for registration of males from 20 to 45 by April 1. Exemptions from registration would cost $300 but at the time, many did not have that kind of money unless they were a part of the small number of rich people in the nation. -
Stonewall Jackson Dies- Social
The South suffers a huge blow as Stonewall Jackson dies from his wounds, his last words, "Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees." "I have lost my right arm," Lee laments. -
West VA Secedes from VA & Joins the Union- Economic
On this day, West Virginia is admitted into the Union after seceding from Virginia, who seceded from the Union alongside many other southern states once the Civil War broke out. West Virginians opposed to the secession from the Union from the start. West Virginia became the nation’s 35th state and this would benefit the Union greatly. President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed West Virginia’s admission on June 20, 1863. -
Battle Of Gettysburg- Political
Fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, is considered the most important engagement of the American Civil War. After a great victory over Union forces at Chancellorsville, General Robert E. Lee marched his Army of Northern Virginia into Pennsylvania in late June 1863. -
Battle at Vicksburg- Political
After a long siege, Vicksburg would surrender to Grant and the Union would have total control of the Mississippi River. The immediate impact was this was a major turning point in the war, it would go downhill for the Confederates after this. The long term impact was that it gave the Union control of the west. -
Anti-Draft Riots- Economic
Riots began in New York City in protest of the conscription acts. At least 120 persons, including children, were killed and $2 million in damage caused, until Union soldiers returning from Gettysburg restore order. The riots were initially intended to protest against draft acts but quickly became race riots between the whites and blacks of Manhattan. President Abraham Lincoln would send volunteer troops to control the city. -
"Negro Troops"- Social
'Negro troops' of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment under Col. Robert G. Shaw assault fortified Rebels at Fort Wagner, South Carolina. Col. Shaw and half of the 600 men in the regiment are killed. -
Lincoln's Gettysburg Address- Political
Lincoln’s Gettysburg address was a speech he presented during the Civil War. An immediate impact of his speech is that he connected to the audience in the way he fervently spoke about the honor needed to be laid on fallen soldiers from the Battle of Gettysburg. A long-term impact is that he ultimately brought awareness to the way fallen soldiers were honored after war. -
Sherman's March- Political
Union General William T. Sherman led about 60,000 soldiers on a 185 mile march from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia. The reason behind this “March to the Sea” was to scare Georgians into leaving the Confederate cause. Sherman’s troop stole food and livestock and burned the houses and barns of people who tried to fight back. -
Grant is Promoted to Lieutenant General- Political
Grant prepares for an assault on Richmond. When Lincoln’s cabinet complained that Grant was an alcoholic and wanted to interfere with his command, Lincoln gave him unconditional support and asked not to be notified of his plans. The immediate impact was that Grant was now in charge of all Union troops and the long-term impact was that he would guide them to victory. -
Appomattox Court House- Politcal
Robert E. Lee surrenders his army of Northern Virginia to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. Days before, Lee had abandoned Richmond and Petersburg; his goal was to rally the rest of his weary troops, meet more soldiers in North Carolina and continue fighting. But once the Battle of Appomattox Court House started, that was the end of the four-year Civil War. -
Abraham Lincoln Dies- Social
President Abraham Lincoln dies at 7:22 in the morning. Vice President Andrew Johnson assumes the presidency. -
Victory Parade- Social
A victory parade is held in Washington along Pennsylvania Ave. to help boost the Nation's morale.