Civil War Timeline

Missouri Compromise

Mar 3, 1820

The Missouri Compromise divided the country into free and slave states. This was the main cause of the Civil War

Nat Turner Slave Rebellion

Aug 21, 1831

Nat Turner's slave rebellion started the Virginia Slavery Debate which was a leading factor to the Civil War.

Wilmot Proviso

1846

The purpose of the Wilmot Proviso was to make the states acquired in the Mexican War free states. This created conflict because it further divided the North and the South.

War With Mexico

Apr 25, 1846

The War with Mexico completed the expansion of Manifest Destiny. However, it continued to separate states based on slavery.

Compromise of 1850

Jan 29, 1850

These were a series of laws passed to deal with slavery. People resented the fact that slavery was still allowed thus causing the Civil War.

Fugitive Slave Act

Sep 18, 1850

This act required runaway slaves in free states to be returned to their owners.

Publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin

Mar 20, 1852

This was an influential novel expressing the life of a slave. It started the spread of abolitionism.

Kansas- Nebraska Act

May 30, 1854

A law passed that allowed Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether they allow slavery or not.

Bleeding Kansas

1855

A series of battles between pro and anti-slavery forces in Kansas.

Dred Scott Decision

1857

A court case ending with the decision that no slave was a citizen. It also ruled that just because one is in a free state doesn't mean they have any rights

John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry

Oct 16, 1859

John Brown leads a raid in hopes to begin a revolt against slavery.

Abraham Lincoln Elected President

1860

President Lincoln was opposed to letting slavery spread, but allowed it to stay in the states where it was already active.

South Carolina Secedes

Dec 20, 1860

South Carolina was the first slave state to secede from the United States. They seceded because their new president was a Republican.

Formation of the Confederate State of America

1861

Seven Southern states seceded and formed the Confederate States of America. This consists of South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisana, and Texas.

Fort Sumter

Apr 12, 1861

Attacks on the Confederacy's capital, Fort Sumter, led to war. Once it fell, the South was separated as its own nation.

Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

This battle resulted in a win for the Union and ended the Confederate invasion of Maryland.

Vicksburg

May 18, 1863

This battle gave the Union a victory. It also gave the Union control of the Mississippi River. This was a major turning point in the Civil War.

Gettysburg

Jul 1, 1863

This battle is considered the most important of the Civil War. This gave the north a boost of confidence and put an end to General Robert E Lee's plan.

Appomattox Courthouse

Apr 9, 1865

This battle led General Robert E. Lee to surrender North Virginia to the Union.