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After the close presidential race of Abraham Lincoln, South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the Union.
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At Lincoln’s inauguration he states that secession is intolerable and that they will rejoin the Union.
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Confederate forces bombard Union soldiers resupplying Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. This marks the official beginning of the Civil War.
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Union army is destroyed by new Confederate army. People realize that this will not be a short war.
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Lincoln issues powerful speech which frees slaves in all territory captured by the Union Army. Causes the Civil War to be over the issue of slavery.
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Robert E. Lee’s army surrenders at Appomattox Court House. Effectively ending Civil War