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Civil War
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Harpers Ferry
John Brown was a strong abolitionist who believed that he was sent from God to end slavery. He prompted the beginning of the Civil War by capturing an arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, and attempting to start a slave revolt. -
Linclon's First Election
Lincoln's first election marked the beginning of the civil war. He specifically addressed the states that had succeeded to inform them that America would act. -
Southern Secession
Many Southern states starting with South Carolina, and ending with Texas formally succeeded from the United States to form their own government, The Confederate States of America. Lincoln did not recognize the sucession, but he was cautious to declare war. -
Confederate States of America Established
The Confederate States of America was the government created by those states that had succeeded from the Union. Their president was Jeffereson Davis. -
First Income Tax
This income tax allowed the government to tax people's personal incomes to help fund the union in the Civil War. This bill was never enforced, but it allowed for future similar bills to be passed. -
First Battle of Bull Run
The Union army marched to Bull Run in Virginia to face Confederate troops there. The Confederate troops eventually defeated the Union, which fled back to Washington. -
First Confiscation Act
This law stated that all slaves who worked for or fought for the union would be granted freedom from their masters. Lincoln did not approve of this act because he thought it would encourage border states to leave the Union. -
Trent Affair
Charles Wilkes, who was a navy officer for the Union, captured two Confederate envoys that were on a British vessel. He did this without the Union's permission, and he created a diplomatic issue between Britain and the Union. -
Monitor vs. Merrimac
The Merrimac was an ironclad that the Confederates created to do sea battles. When the Union heard about this new technology, they created their own ironclad with swivelling guns called the Monitor, which defeated the Merrimac in battle. -
Shiloh
This incredibly bloody battle was fought between Grant and Beauregard at Pittsburg Landing on the Tenessee River. The Confederate troops had the upper hand, but were eventually overpowered by Union reinforcements. -
National Draft Law
When the Union experienced labor shortages during the war, the government enacted the Naional Draft Law to build up a strong military. They also believed it would lead to more voluntary enlistments. -
Capture of New Orleans
The Union troops sailed up the Mississippi River to New Orleans, bombarding forts along the way. Once at New Orleans, it was very easy for the Union to capture the city, because the Confederate army was gone protecting another area of their land. -
Homstead/ Morrill Land Grant Acts
The Homestead Act allowed Americans to pay a fee in exchange for a piece of property out West. These Homesteaders gained ownerships of their land after five years occupying it. The Morrill Land Grant Acts gave even more opportunities to settlers by providing them with universities. -
Second Confiscation Act
This law stated that any slave who crossed into Union territory was automatically freed. Lincoln did agree to the terms for this act, and it was passed. -
Antietam
McClellan and Lee's forces clashed near Sharpsburg, Maryland in the bloodiest battle in American history. The Union was able to consider it a victory after Confederate retreat. -
Suspension of Habeas Corpus
Due to the large numbers of rioters in Confederate states, Lincoln suspeneded the right to presence in court. He defended himself against criticism that he had challenged the Constitution. -
Emancipation Proclamation
During the third year of the civil war, Lincoln declared that all slaves were freed in Confederate land. He did not include the border states that had not succeeded because they had stayed loyal to the union. -
Vicksburg
The Union army under Grant captured Vicksburg, and the Confederate army that was inside of it. This victory split the Confederate army in two, and helped the Union win the war. -
Capture of Atlanta
Sherman fought hood and was victorious, burning every building in Atlanta becasue it was an important rail destination. He then began Sherman's March to the Sea. -
Lincoln's Reelection
The Northerners strongly supported Lincoln in the next presidential election. When he was reelected, it was clear that there would be no compromise between the Union and the Confederacy. -
Shermna's March to the Sea
Sherman marched from Atlanta to Savannah in order to weaken the morale of the people of Georgia for the Confederate cause. The Soldiers stole food and goods along the way, and fought rebels. -
Thirteenth Amendment
This amendment to the Constitution outlawed slavery in the United States. It also icluded any area under U.S. control. -
Capture of Richmond
Richmond was a very important target for the Union becasue it was the Confederate captial. When Grant overtook the city, it showed that the Civil war was coming to an end. -
Surrender at Appomatox
Lee was trapped in a courthouse in Appomatox county where he was trying to find food supplies and flee from Union armies. His surrender of his troops marked the end of the war. -
Lincoln's Assasination
Five days after the Surrender at Appotamox, John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln. Booth was an actor, so the fatal blow was delivered at a play.
