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Compromise pf 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was a series of 5 bills introduced by Henry Clay. Stephen A. Douglas split the bill into 5 bills so Congress could abstain or vote on each. It defused four-year political confrontation between slave and free states regarding the status of territories acquired during the Mexican-American war. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin was an antislavery novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It was published in 1852. Stowe was an active abolitionist and teacher at the Hartford Female Seminary. Will Kaufman said that she, "helped lay the groundwork for the Civil War." -
Bleeding Kansas
Also known as Bloody Kansas or the Border War, Bleeding Kansas was a series of violent political confrontations in the US involving anti-slavery free-staters and pro-slavery "Border Ruffian" elements in Kansas between 1855 and 1861. John Brown led anti-slavery fighters. 56 people died in the event. They fought about whether the territory would be free or slave. Kansas became a slave state. -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott was a slave that was taken to a free state by his owners and he tried to sue but his request was declined, It was decided that all the people of African ancestry, slave and free, could never become citizens of the US. It lasted from 1846 to 1857. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
It was a series of seven debates have been referred to as the most significant statements in American political history. They discussed sectional conflict issues and deeper questions that would continue to influence political discourse. Judge Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln were the main participants. They used their poluarity in their campaigns. -
Raid on Harpers Ferry
John Brown, an abolitionist, left his hideout with a group of his supporters on the evening of October 16, 1859. They headed towards Harpers Ferry. Brown and his men acquired weapons and would distribute them to slaves that would help with the raid. They wanted to start an armed slave revolt and destroy the institution of slavery. Six men died that night. -
Election of 1860
The election of 1860 was between Abraham Lincoln, John C. Breckinridge, John Bell and Stephen A. Douglas. Lincoln was elected president. Lincoln and Douglas' main supporters were in the North and Breckinridge and Bell in the South. -
South Carolina
South Carolina secedes from the Union. -
Mississippi
Mississippi secedes from the Union. -
Florida
Florida secedes from the Union. -
Alabama
Alabama secedes from the Union. -
Georgia
Georgia secedes from the Union. -
Louisiana
Louisiana secedes from the Union. -
Texas
Texas secedes from the Union. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
Southern forces were attempting to seize as many Union forts in the South as possible. Lincoln told Southern leaders the North would not fire on the South unless fired upon first. Southern forces fired! The war had begun!!! Victory for the South. -
1st Battle of Bull Run (Battle of Manassas Junction)
Northern forces marched from Washington D.C. expecting a quick victory. After initially pushing the Southern forces back, Southern forces charged at the Union soldiers with their "Rebel Yell," forcing the North to retreat. Another victory for the South. -
Monitor vs. Merrimack (Battle of Hampton Roads)
The South had covered an abandoned Northern ship with iron in an effort to break the Union blockade. The North countered with their own ironclad. The ships fought to a draw, but it is considered a Union victory. They kept the South in the harbor. -
Battle of Shiloh
Led by General Ulysses S. Grant, the North defeated the South in the bloodiest 2-day battle of the Civil War. Grant earned the reputation as a "butcher" of men. Congress wanted him removed but Lincoln responded "I can't spare this man; he fights." This battle was a victory for the North. -
Capture of New Orleans
Union forces, led by Admiral David G. Farragut, surprised the South capturing New Orleans. The city was a major trade city of the South and its capture meant less supplies for Confederate soldiers. Victory for the North. -
Battle of Antietam
Due to General McClellan's hesitation the North was attacked by Lee's forces. The North was able to hold off the South in the bloodiest single day battle of the war. The hesitation by McClellan caused Lincoln to replace him. Also, convinced Lincoln to write/issue the Emancipation Proclamation. Union Victory. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln understood that taking a stand against slavery would make Britain and France less likely to aid the South. The E.P. freed all slaves within any state in rebellion against the U.S. This allowed African-Americans to join the 13th Amendment. -
Battle of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville
At Fredericksburg General Burnside mistakenly thought he could charge up a hill and overtake the Confederates. The Union suffered heavy losses and Burnside resigned as General. At Chancellorsville the Confederates scored another victory out at a high cost (pyrrhic). General Stonewall Jackson was shot and died 8 days later. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Northern and Southern forces met by accident at Gettysburg. The first 2 days saw the South push the North back to Cemetary Ridge. On the 3rd day Lee sent General Pickett over the ridge where they were easy targets for the North. The South had to retreat. the failed charge was known as "Pickett's Charge." -
The Siege at Vicksburg
Over 9 months Grant led a siege on Vicksburg, finally gaining victory on July 4, 1863. The North now gained control of the Mississippi River, thus splitting the confederacy in two. Following this victory President Lincoln named Grant commander of the U.S. army. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
The campaign began with Sherman's troops leaving the captured city of Atlanta, GA on November 15 and ended with the capture of the port of Savannah on December 21, his forces destroyed military targets as well as industry, infrastructure, and civilian property and disrupted the Confederacy economy and transportation on networks. Considered to be revolutionary in the annals of war. -
Surrender at Appomattox
Lee abandoned the Confederate capital of Richmond to meet up with additional troops. This ended the 4 years of war. Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his 28,000 troops in the front parlor of Wilmer McLean's home. When surrendering all men were pardoned by the Union forces. -
Lincoln's Assassination
John Wilkes Booth was a Southern sympathizer who believed assassination Lincoln would help the South. He came up behind Lincoln and shot him once in the head. Lincoln was shot on the 14th but died on the 15th. Booth fled the theater only to be cornered 11 days later in a barn. Booth was shot and killed when he came out.
