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Trent Affair
A US Navy officer caputer two confederate envoys on a British mail ship. As a result, Britain accused the US of violating British neutrality. To avoid further conflict, the US released those on board the ships. In the end though, it proved that Britain was still neutral, a position the US and the Confederacy had hoped to change. -
Battle of Shiloh
Although The Battle of Shiloh resulted in a victory for the Union, Ulysses S. Grant's reputation suffered. Stories spread that Grant was drunk and that General Buell had taken over. Because of this, Grant almost lost his position in command. Along with this, the Union lost its highest ranking general, W.H.L Wallace. -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam served as one of the bloodiest battles in Civil War history that was fought on Union soil. By the end, over 20,000 were dead, It also destroyed General Lee's plans in invading Union Territory. -
Battle of Fredricksburg
The Battle of Fredricksburg resulted in as twice as many Union casualities than the confederates. The Union had over 12,000 casualties and confederates 5,000. Burnside was unable to cross the Rappahannock Riverto race to the capital of Richmond. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation written by Abraham Lincoln declared all slaves free. One of his motives behind this was to encourage African Americans to join the Union forces once freed. As Commander in Chief, this action served as a strategic war plan because it helped in officially abolishing slavery and for keeping the United States together. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville outcome was a confederate victory. This battle is particularly interesting because the Confederates managed to win under slim chances. In this battle, the Union had over 133,000 men and Confederates only 60,000. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg served as a turning point in the civil war. After the Conferderate deafeat at Gettysburg, Lee did not conduct any other strategies to win the war, resulting the victory of the Union. -
New York Draft Riots
The riots occured because of public discontent with congress passing a conscription making it so that all men between the age of 20 to 45 responsible for military service, which could only be revoked with $300 payment. Because of this distress, many rioters took their grievances out on innocent African Americans because they felt that that freed Africans would all travel up North, resulting in competition for jobs. This riot led to racial injustice regarding labor up until the 20th century. -
Battle of Chickamauga
The Battle of Chickamauga represented one of the most significant Union defeats. Although the confederates had won, they did not accomplish their goal of destroying General Rosecrans or of restoring confederate control of East Tennessee. -
Gettysburg Address
Four months after the Battle of Gettysburg, President Abraham Lincoln gave a speech commemorating those that had lost their lives. It is regarded as one of the most important speeches in history, discussing many important principles such as the founding of the Union, obstacles overcome by the Civil War, and equality for all humans. -
Lincoln propose 10% Plan
Lincoln's 10% percent plan allowed a southern state to be readmitted to the Union once 10% of its citizens had sweared their allegiance to it. His main motive behind this was to weaken the Confederacy but was unable to get broad support to get Congress to recognize the southern governments. -
Battle of Spotsylvania
The Battle of Spotsylvania was the second major battle of Grant's Overland Campaign. During this battle, Grant's mission was to break the confederate line but he was unable to do so. The battle ended with an inconclusive result with over 32,000 casualties. This battle proved to be the first of many in Grant's Overland Campaign that fail in destroying the Confederates. -
Battle of Fort Pillow
In the Battle of Fort Pillow a massacre occurred with many Union soldiers even after they had surrendered. But, there is controversy as to whether or not the Union soldiers had surrendered. Even after the massacre though, the Confederates gained little and evacuated. The battle also dealt with issues about African American soldiers, many of whom were taken to Confederate prison. General Grant asked confederates that Africans be treated as equal to white prisoners but the Confederates refused. -
Wade-Davis Bill
The Wade Davis Bill, created by radical republicans gave stricter rules for confederate states to be readmitted back to the Union. Although it was passed by both houses in Congress, Lincoln pocket vetoed the bill, believing that his 10% percent plan would work. The Wade Davis Bill never took effect and Lincoln recieved much opposition from radical republicans. -
Battle of Franklin
The Battle of Franklin, fought in Franklin, TN, was one of the largest losses for the Confederate Army. During this battle many In this battle, General Hood, for the confederates, was never able to defeat Schofield's soldiers. As a result, the Union was was able to withdraw and go to Nashville. -
Battle of Nashville
The Battle of Nashville was one of the lrgest victories for the Union during the Civil War. It resulted in the end of the Army of Tennessee -
13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments Passed
The 13th amendment abolished slavery nationwide.The 14th amendment guaranteed all citizens equal protection under law. Lastly, the 15th amendment prohibited states from disenfranchsing voters on account of race and color. All three of these amendments worked torwards achieving equality for African Americans. -
Freedmen's Bureau Founded
After the Civil War, many former slaves were left with no home and facing starvation. The Freedmen's Bureau helped many African Americans and poor southerners by issuing food and clothing to them. They also provided them with hospital treatment, promoted education, and even provided employment. Because of the Freedmen's Bureau, historians were able to gather large amount of information about
Africans during the war. -
States Begin to Pass Black Codes
After the Cviil War, southern states passed black codes intending on restricting African Americans. One of which was named the Vragrancy Law in which local authorities could make freedpeople do work. -
Lincoln's Assassination
While watching a play at Ford's Theatre, John Wilkes Booth, a famous actor, shot Lincoln in the back of the head, giving him a fatal wound. As a result of Lincoln's death, Andrew Johnson became the new president. Johnson was very unpopular, impeached, and was did not carry out Lincoln's plans for the
Reconstruction Act. -
KKK Founded
During the Reconstruction Era, the Klu Klux Klan sought to restore white supremacy. In doing so, they targeted freedmen and their allies with violent acts such as murder. -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 granted citizenship and equal rights to all humans. The act was mainly to give African Americans their rights. The act was also vetoed by Johnson but then overturned by a majority in both houses. This signaled the beginning of a large movement in African Americans gaining rights as citizens. -
1st Reconstruction Act
Also known as the Military Reconstruction Act, the first act consisted of splitting each ex-confederate state into five military districts which would be given a Northern general who would protect life, liberty, and property. It also consisted of enfranchisement of all citizens, except ex-confederates, which would be suffrage for Africans. The act faced many difficulties with opposition from the south because of no representation. -
Impeachment of Johnson
For the first time in history, a president was impeached in congress. The House of Represenatives formally impeached him by convicting him with violation of the Tenure of Office Act. In the Senate, Johnson escaped impeachment by one vote. Afterward he continued to veto reconstruction bills which congress overrode, allowing the continuation of the reconstruction act. In the next election Ulysses S. Grant won presidency. -
Hayes Tilden Compromise
In the Hayes Tilden Compromise, power was restored in the South. As a result, African Americans were taken out of offices, restricting their participation in government with actions such as the grandfather clause. -
End of Reconstruction Era
The Reconstruction Era ended with the election of Rutherford B. Hayes, also known as the compromise of 1877. Federal troops were taken out of engagement in southern politics. In effect, African Americans felt betrayed because of the loss in power that allowed them to continue partcipate in politics.
