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Fugitive Slave Act (September 18, 1850)
On September 18, 1850, the Fugitive Slave Act was passed meaning that any freed slave could be captured and put to work again. This act ruined the lives of countless people and altered America permanently. Many also took advantage of the act, and arrested people who were born freed. This act is one of the main reasons for the Civil War and the cause for a more equal America. -
Uncle Tom’s Cabin (March 20, 1852)
Published on March 20, 1852, Uncle Tom’s Cabin gave readers a horrific insight into the lives of slave workers and their day to day lives. This anti slavery novel “helped lay the groundwork for the Civil War.” The book typically appealed to white readers in the North and forced them to face the fact that slavery was a form of torture. -
Abraham Lincoln’s Election (November 6, 1860)
On November 6, 1860 Abraham Lincoln is elected into his first term as president. Lincoln becomes the first republican to win the election, marking a new and more divided era. While only receiving 40 percent of votes, he beat his other candidates who were all well known delegates. His election shocked many, but also kickstarted a movement far greater than what he would ever know. -
Fort Sumter (April 12, 1861)
On April 12, 1861, Confederate warships turned back a ship full of fresh supplies sent by Abraham Lincoln. Soon after they opened fire on Fort Sumter, the result of a 34 hour bombardment. This efficient strategy allowed the South to fire first shot of the Civil War. On April 14, the Fort surrendered signaling the start of the Civil War. -
First Battle of Bull Run (July 21, 1861)
On July 21, 1861, the Confederacy and the Union met at a river known as Bull Run and the battle commenced. Marching from Washington D.C to Virginia, the Union were ordered to strike the Confederacy and hopefully weaken their forces. Their plan however, backfired, and the Confederacy celebrated their victory, while more people in the North realized this would not be an easy war. This is one of the many turning points in the Civil War. -
The Peninsula Campaign (March 1862)
Starting in March 1862, the Peninsula campaign became a huge offensive tactic for the Union. Over a timespan of over four months, George B. McClellan moved his army by boat, planned an advance on the Confederacy, and delayed his campaign until late May. There were two stages in the campaign, one which ended in an inconclusive battle, and the other which resulted in a Confederate win. -
Battle of the Ironclads (March 9, 1862)
On March 9, 1862, began the first naval battle in Civil War history. The battle, between the U.S.S Monitor and the Merrimack was inconclusive, but kickstarted a new method of war, and became a much used asset. The battle started when the Confederates decided to try and break the blockade along the southern ports, implemented by the Union. -
Battle of Shiloh (April 6, 1862)
On April 6, 1862, under the command of General Ulysses S. Grant, a surprise attack was launched on the Union Army. While the Confederates had the advantage, the Union quickly gathered themselves and forced the Confederates back. Although a Union victory, both sides suffered losses, with more than 23,000 fatalities. -
Battle of Antietam (September 17, 1862)
On September 17, 1862, at Antietam Creek, Maryland, the deadliest battle in U.S history commenced. Robert Lee’s Confederates battled George McClellan’s Union Army and after hours of painstaking bloodshed, and 3,650 deaths, the Confederates lost. Although the Union won, Abraham Lincoln was displeased with McClellan for missing an opportunity to end the war, and removed him from command. -
Emancipation Proclamation (September 22, 1862)
On September 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation claiming that that all slaves would now be free. People agreed in the North, but in the South, the announcement caused outrage amongst farm and plantation owners especially. Although the Civil War had already started, this gave even more reason for the Confederates to fight back and strengthen their defenses. -
Battle of Fredericksburg (December 13, 1862)
On December 13, 1862, Ambrose Burnside led almost 120,000 troops into battle against the Confederate Army. The attack, which consisted of the troops separating, resulted in 13,000 casualties for the Union. The confederates high position gave them advantage and eventually led to them winning the battle. This battle boosted the Confederates spirits and led them into the dark days to come. -
New York City Draft Riots (July 1863)
During the month of July 1863, the New York City Draft Riots became known as the deadliest riots in American history. Working class citizens rebelled over a new draft law. This rebellion caused hundreds of deaths, cost millions in destruction, and was aimed at African Americans. Soon, 4,000 federal troops arrived, ending the riots at last. -
The Battle of Chancellorsville (April 30, 1863)
On April 30, 1863, the Confederacy took on the Union, a force twice their size, and engaged in a week long battle. General Robert E. Lee separated his small army into two, and took on the much larger Union. The Union suffered a great loss while the Confederacy celebrated their effective tactics. This battle is easily seen as the most tactical victory in the history of the Civil War. -
The Siege of Vicksburg (May 18, 1863)
On May 18, 1863, the Union took their first steps towards a 47 day siege. After much planning and deliberation, a campaign was launched to take over the Confederate’s stronghold in Vicksburg, Mississippi. After more than a month, the Union Army completed their goal, gaining a supply line, a very critical asset, and becoming one step closer to cutting off outside trade to the Confederacy. -
Battle of Gettysburg (July 1, 1863)
Starting on July 1,1863, and ending on the third, the Battle of Gettysburg resulted when the Confederates crossed paths with the Union while marching into Pennsylvania. Soon after, the Union opened fire and started a gruesome battle. After one whole day of fighting and 28,000 casualties, the Confederacy surrendered marking the Union as the winner of the Gettysburg Battle. This battle became a turning point in the war, ruining the Confederacy's plan to invade the North and end the war. -
Gettysburg Address (November 19, 1863)
On November 19, 1863, at the Gettysburg Memorial, President Abraham Lincoln gave one of the most unforgettable speeches in American history. While honoring the lives lost in one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, Lincoln gave an incredible speech about equality, and the reason for the movement. Before long his speech was heard across the nation, and created a huge impact in the world as we know it today. -
Battle of Petersburg (June 15, 1864)
On June 15, 1864, the last battle of the Civil War begins and continues on for almost a year. The Union, commanded under General Ulysses Grant, orders attacks on all fronts, using nearly 100,000 men. Throughout many months the battle roars between the two sides, and countless lives are lost. It would not be until General Robert E. Lee surrenders, that the war is over and a new era of equality begins. -
Sherman’s March (November 15, 1864)
On November 15, 1864, General T. Sherman led a protest march containing almost 650,000 soldiers. The march was aimed at those who were supporters of the Confederate cause. He hoped he would frighten them enough to abandon the cause. While the march was not violent, they stole, and vandalized the homes of those who tried to fight back. -
Appomattox (April 9, 1865)
On April 9, 1865, at the Wilmer McLean Home, General Robert E. Lee surrendered his Northern Virginia Army to Ulysses. S Grant. The message for surrender marked the weakening of the South’s army and gave a new sense of hope to those fighting for the North. After discussing the details of the surrender, and writing them out on paper, both generals signed, and the war was officially over. -
Lincoln Assassination (April 14, 1865)
On April 14, 1865, while attending theater, President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. The assassination came just days after the Confederacy surrender and shocked the entire nation. After a failed kidnapping, and the announcement of the surrender, Booth took a much more violent approach in a rushed attempt to save the Confederacy.
