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Lincoln Elected
The majority of the votes came from the North because the north was more populated. Lincoln won because of this. Lincoln won without any southern electoral votes, angering the south and eventually leading to the secession of 7 southern states. -
Lincolns first Inaugrial
Lincolns efforts to reassure the south that he does not represent a threat to them or slavery. Lincoln also argues that a compact can not be broken unless BOTH sides agree. Tone is firm but at the same
Time welcoming. -
Lower South Secedes
South justified seceding by claiming like the declaration says that a people have the right to overthrow and abusive government. Also that they were formed through a state compact. States made the constitution so they could unmake it. -
Firing on Ft. Sumter
South fires on a union fort in charleston harbor, South Carolina. Opening shots of war. -
Battle of Bull Run. 1st manassas
North was confident that they would win collecting souvenirs before the battle is over civilians watch battle. North underestimate souths will to
Fight .... Significance is that the north realizes it will not be a short or easy war 5000 casualties. -
Upper S. Secedes
After the firing on fort Sumter the four upper southern states secede. -
Antietam - "war of Attrition"
Fairly evenly matched. Battle was the first in a war attrition. (When one army inflicts continuous losses of soldiers and materials that add up to a unberable burdon for the other side.) over 50,000 casualties rates at the battle. Lee loses on quarter of his army. But is allowed to escape. Mclellen does
not press his advantage- is fired. The souths hope for foreign intervention is limited by this loss -
Emancipation Proclamation
Freed slaves as of January 1st 1863 in areas of open rebellion. Lincoln issues it. Though the EP didn't free any slaves it is significant because it changed the goal of the war for the north. Goal was to end slavery. Also it prevented foreign intervention. Britain/ France didn't want to be seen with the south. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Pennsylvania. Three day battle. High casualty rate . Bloodiest battle of the war. Fierce battle that turned at the fighting of little round top. Significant because lee was never on the offense again and the south had no hopes of foreign intervention. Lincoln wins reelection overwhelmingly -
Gettysburg Address
Speech given by Abraham Lincoln. On the battlefield of Gettysburg for the purpose of dedicating the cemetery. It reinforces the idea that the war is being fought for a moral cause. - end slavery (all men are created equal) and draws the connection between the aims of the war and the idea of popular sovereignty. (Of the people by the people for the people) -
Sherman's March to the sea
Sherman, union general, marched from Atlanta to Savannah with goal of to destroy everything so that they can no longer fight. This is called total war. Total war- when one side attacks every aspect of the other this including civilians, economic recourses, not just military targets. Caused a lot of resentment. -
Lees surrender at Appomattox courthouse
Tone of surrender was one of sadness, a bittersweet victory for the north. For example meeting was subdued grant offers rations to lees men lets them keep their sidearms and horses. Tone is a result of the fact that now they have to rebuild and become countrymen -
Lincoln assasinated
Assassination takes place 5 days after lees surrender and just a month into lincolns 2nd term. Assasinated by John Wilkes booth. Is going to affect the reconstruction of the country.