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Compromise of 1850
Had 5 parts: California was admitted as a free state, New Mexico and Utah could decide on their own, No sale of slaves in Washington D.C, Texas would give up claim to New Mexico territory, and the creation of the Fugitive Slave Act. -
Republican Party Formed
The formation of the Republican party changed politics forever.At the time, the group protested slavery and desired equal rights for everyone. It was formed by abolitionists, ex-whigs, and ex-free soldiers. -
Kansas Nebraska Act of 1854
Mandated "popular sovereignty", allowing the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide if they wanted to be a free or slave state. However, By the time Kansas was admitted to statehood in 1861 after an internal civil war, southern states had begun to secede from the Union. -
Dred Scott Decision
The Dred Scott case questioned if slavery should be allowed in the west. Dred Scott was a slave whose owner had spent time in Illinois, a free state, and Wisconsin, a free territory at the time of Scott’s residence.The court held that Scott was not free based on his residence in either Illinois or Wisconsin because he was not considered a person under the U.S. Constitution–in the opinion of the justices, black people were not considered citizens when the Constitution was drafted in 1787. -
Election of 1860
Republican Abraham Lincoln defeated Southern Democrat John C. Breckinridge, Democrat Stephen A. Douglas, and Constitutional Union candidate John Bell. This election was so controversial because Lincoln wasn't even on the ballot in the South. -
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina was the first of many states to secede from the Union. State by state, conventions were held, and the Confederacy was formed. Within three months of Lincoln's election, seven states had seceded from the Union. -
Fighting Begins
The first major battle of the war began at Bull Run. After fighting on the defensive for most of the day, the rebels rallied and were able to break the Union right flank, sending the Federals into a chaotic retreat towards Washington.This victory gave the South much confidence, -
Merrimack VS Monitor
This battle ends up being a draw. but is important because it makes wooden ships obsolete and ushers in the era of steel warships, changing naval warfare forever. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to free all slaves that are in territory captured by the Union army. This also called for the enlistment of black soldiers. This angered infuriated the South. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Starting on July 1st the Union Army defeated Lee's Confederate Army at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It was one of the bloodiest battles of the war and also a major turning point, giving the North major confidence. It marked farthest advance of the Confederate Army into Northern territory. -
Freedmen's Bureau
The Freedmen's Bureau was created to provide assistance to emancipated African Americans. It was a big success, but was abolished in 1872 because of how costly it was. -
Lee Surenders
General Robert E. Lee surrenders to General Ulysses S. Grant in a farmhouse in the town of Appomattox Court House, Virginia.This ended the physical war, but there was still a political and race war raging on in the US. -
Lincoln's Assassination
Lincoln was shot and killed by well-known actor John Wilkes Booth while watching a play with his wife at Forde's Theater. Andrew Johnson took over after him. -
13th Amendment Ends Slavery
The 13th Amendment was passed to free all slaves living in America. However, they weren't granted any equal rights yet, just free men. -
Reconstruction Acts
There were many steps to reconstruct America after the war. Congress overrode a presidential veto of an act that divided the South into military districts and placed the former Confederate states under martial law. Also, it passed the Tenure of Office Act, which barred the president from removing officeholders without Senate approval. In August 1867, Johnson tested the Tenure of Office Act by removing Secretary of War Edwin Stanton which prompted Republicans in Congress to impeach the President
