Civil War Major Events

Lincoln is Elected

Nov 6, 1860

Abraham Lincoln was elected president. Lincoln planned to abolish slavery throughout the United States. His election resulted in the secession of southern states and the start of the Civil War(Abraham Lincoln Elected President).

South Carolina Secedes

Dec 20, 1860

After Abraham Lincoln was elected, South Carolina, outraged, left the Union and was the first state to be a member of the Confederacy. This resulted in other southern states breaking free and joining the Confederacy and no longer being part of the Union(South Carolina Succession (U.S. National Park Service)).

Confederation Formed

Feb 8, 1861

Representatives from all the seceded states came together and decided to make their own government called the Confederacy. This led to the division of America and the overall beginning of the Civil War(States Meet to Form Confederacy).

The Civil War Begins

Apr 12, 1861

The Civil War began when troops of Confederate soldiers fired weapons on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. Union soldiers surrendered soon after and Confederate soldiers took the victory, starting the war(Civil War Begins).

First Battle of Bull Run

Jul 21, 1861

The First Battle of Bull Run is considered the first critical battle of the Civil War. The Battle took place near Manassas in northern Virginia. The Confederate side won this battle(First Battle of Bull Run).

Battle of Merrimack

Mar 8, 1862

In this battle, a Confederate battle boat called the Merrimack (commanded by Flag Officer Franklin Buchanan) came into conflict with wooden Union boats in Hampton Roads, a body of water.. Union boats tried to fend it off with cannons with no luck. The Confederate side won. The Merrimack returned to Norfolk for a time after(Ducksters).

Battle of Monitor

Mar 9, 1862

The next morning, the Merrimack returned to Hampton Roads. They were met by the Union’s battle ship; the Monitor. The iron ships were not able to be sunk by the other side’s cannons. Because of this, no one really won the battle(Ducksters).

Battle of Shiloh

Apr 6, 1862

This battle took place in Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee. It is considered one of the bloodiest battles in American history and over 23,000 were wounded or killed. The battle lasted two days and the Union won in the end(National Geographic Society).

Second Battle of Bull Run

Aug 28, 1862

This battle took place Manassas, Virginia. General Robert Lee of the Confederate side led his side with skill. Despite the Union having twice as many soldiers, the Confederates won this battle, though not without many casualties(History.com Editors).

Battle of Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

This battle too place near Antietam Creek in Maryland. It is known as one of the deadliest single day battle. It was General McClellan’s greatest victory in the Civil War. The Union won and put a stop to the Confederate’s invasion(Battle of Antietam).

Emancipation Proclamation

Jan 1, 1863

The Emancipation Proclamation was signed and passed in the third year of the Civil War. It stated that all slaves in southern states are free. This led to the total abolition of slavery in America(Emancipation Proclamation (1863)).

Siege of Vicksburg

May 18, 1863

After the Battle of Shiloh, the Union traveled south to take control of the Mississippi River. The Union succeeded and took the river. It was a major turning point for the Union and ultimately led to victory in the Civil War(Siege of Vicksburg).

Battle of Gettysburg

Jul 1, 1863

This battle took place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Robert Lee’s very risky battle tactics caused the Confederates over 25,000 casualties and the loss of the battle. The Union won. This was a major turning point for the Union in the Civil War(Gettysburg).

Lincoln is Re-elected

Nov 8, 1864

It was not a sure thing that Lincoln would be re-elected. His former general, George McClellan, ran for the democratic ticket. However, after a powerful republican candidate withdrew, Lincoln’s spot as the president was once again secured. The re-election led to the end of the war and the victory of the Union(KCHistory).

Robert E. Lee Surrenders

Apr 9, 1865

General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant. This surrender ended the Civil War. Lee’s troops had no food and no supplies, so he and some of his aides met with General Grant and officially surrendered(MonkEL).

Lincoln is Assassinated

Apr 14, 1865

Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in the Peterson House, Washington D.C. while watching a play. He was killed by John Wilkes Booth. Booth and friends had planned to kidnap Lincoln, however, when the Confederacy failed, Booth decided to kill him. This shocking news greatly affected the future of the nation(Wallenfeldt, Jeff).

Reconstruction of the South

Period: Dec 8, 1865 to Mar 31, 1877

Reconstruction of the South was meant to reorganize southern states after the war, rejoin these states to the union, and show people how to manage with a no-slave society. This affected America today because now the south has no slaves and is part of the Union(Nast, Thomas, et al).