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Lincoln elected president
Though winning in the electoral college, Lincoln did not in fact have the popular vote (1.9 million out of 4.7 million votes cast) which was a strong indication of the problems he would face ahead -
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Before
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South Carolina secedes
On news of Lincoln's election, South Carolina (site of nullification act) secedes.Followed within two months by Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas. first state to declare its independence from the Union in 1860. It later formed the Confederacy and was a source of troops for the Confederate Army. -
Confederacy formed
Seven states form Confederacy, South Carolina was the first southern state to secede from the Union. Alabama drafted a Constitution. This Constitution was similar to that of the United States, but with minor changes.North Carolina was last to secede, thus forming The Confederate States of America. They chose Jefferson Davis as President and believed in abolishing tariffs and internal improvements. -
Ft. Sumter attacked
Lincoln decides he wants the South to fire the first shot. At 4:30 a.m. Confederates under Gen. Pierre Beauregard open fire with 50 cannons upon Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. The Civil War begins. -
Bull Run (Manassas), 1st battle
Gen. McDowell leads 30,000 men against Gen. Johnston's 22,000 Southern troops in an attempt to crush the rebels and go "On to Richmond." South scores victory as Union troops flee back to Washington in disarray. McDowell replaced by Gen. McClellan -
Ft. Henry & Ft. Donelson
Gen. Grant captures two forts on the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. Confederates forced out of Kentucky and yield much of Tennessee -
Monitor vs. Merrimac
First ironclad battle in history ends in a draw as the Merrimac withdraws after daylong exchange of fire. Union blockade of South is maintained. Marks US as most powerful navy which it remains today -
Peninsular Campaign (Yorktown, Seven Days' Battle, Fair Oaks)
After continual prodding by Lincoln, McClellan decides to attack Richmond via the South. He moves his large army down the Potomac, marches on Richmond, and then assumes a defensive position rather than pushing for victory. Gen. Lee takes command of Southern troops -
Antietam
Heavily outnumbered, Lee's troops face McClellan in bloody fighting. Over 23,000 casualties (more than all previous American wars combined). Lee retreats to Virginia -
Emancipation Proclamation
With victory at Antietam, Lincoln announces that on 1/1/63, all slaves in the rebelling states would be free. Does not affect border states. Forces European nations to recognize that choosing sides in the Civil War is to take a stand on slavery -
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After
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Grant Takes Command
Lincoln appoints Ulysses S. Grant commander of all Union armies, ending his long search for a decent general to command northern forces. General William T. Sherman takes over as otheer commander -
Siege of Petersburg Ends
The Siege of Petersburg ends as Lee evacuates Petersburg and Ulysses S. Grant's army breaks through Confederate lines and marches towards Richmond.The Confederate Capital, Richmond, is evacuated. -
Virginia campaign
Beginning a drive aimed at ending the war, Ulysses S. Grant and 120,000 troops march south towards Richmond, the Confederate capital. Over the course of the next six weeks, a brutal war of attrition results in the deaths of nearly 50,000 Union soldiers. -
Battle of the Wilderness
this was the first battle of grants virginia campaign. Both armies suffered heavy casualties. it was fought May 5–7, 1864 well through the nights. the battle ended inconclusive. -
March to the Sea
Union General Sherman begins his famous March to the Sea, cutting a swath of destruction 300 miles long and 60 miles wide through Georgia. "All war is hell," he comments. -
Fall of Richmond
April 2, 1865 - Grant's forces begin a general advance and break through Lee's lines at Petersburg. Confederate Gen. Ambrose P. Hill is killed. Lee evacuates Petersburg. The Confederate Capital, Richmond, is evacuated. Fires and looting break out. -
Lee Surrenders
General Robert E. Lee surrenders to General Ulysses S. Grant in a farmhouse in the town of Appomattox Court House, Virginia. Lee was heavily outnumbered. Lees Army of Northern Virginia is gone. -
Lincoln Dies by Assassination
Abraham Lincoln is shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C.. Lincoln does not regain consciousness after being shot at Ford's Theater. He dies from his wound -
Johnston Surrender
General Joe Johnston, leading the largest Confederate Army still in existence, surrenders in North Carolina. -
Slavery is abolished.
The Thirteenth Amendment is ratified by the States. Slavery is abolished.