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Although the constitution mentions the equality of all men, it fails to unify the nation on the topic of slavery/illegalize slavery.
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The Missouri Compromise attempts to address the ongoing problem of how to decide whether new states would be free states or slave states. A misbalance of either free or slave state representation in the house or senate could create problems for one side.
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As a hub of industrial production in the South, Richmond was chosen to be the new capital of the Confederacy moving away from Alabama
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After the formation of the Confederation, the first official act of war occurs when Confederate forces fire upon Fort Sumter in South Carolina’s Charleston Harbor. The fort is bombarded by over 4000 mortar rounds. -
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U.S Major Robert Anderson surrenders Fort Sumter after a full day of constant Confederate mortar bombardment. This is the first "battle" to take place and in the war, and is won by the Confederates.
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Two days after the fall of Fort Sumter, Abraham Lincoln calls for 75,000 volunteer soldiers in order to fight the rebelling South. He does not acknowledge the existence of the Confederacy as a independent nation, and instead as a rebelling faction.
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United States forces reach Arlington Heights; a nearby town "Alexandria" is occupied. Colonel Elmer Ellsworth, a friend of Abraham Lincoln's, is shot dead by a homeowner after Ellsworth removed a confederate flag from his home.
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The first battle takes place in Prince William County, Virginia. Each side possessing approximately 18,000 hastily equipped and trained troops. Initially, the Union forces carried out a poorly executed surprise flank attack, nevertheless leaving the Confederates at a disadvantage. The tide of battle switched with the arrival of Confederate forces, and the Union soldiers were defeated; they scattered and retreated.
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Union forces attack Confederate and state militia troops in Springfield Mississippi. The fighting lasts a day, ending with a significant loss of the Federal troops. The Union now understands the strength of Confederate forces
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Union troops focus on making their way to the Confederate capital in Virginia. Federal forces tried to cross the Potomac river only to be fought back into retreating. Many soldiers died trying to retreat, Confederates won a great victory.
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Dissatisfied with the previous general performance, President Lincoln appoints General George B. McClellan as General-in-Chief of all United States armies.
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Federal troops triumph in a skirmish in Kentucky. Confederate control over Kentucky is significantly weakened.
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Fighting in Virginia has General Joseph Johnson wounded, being replaced by legendary General Robert E Lee.
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Fought in the same place as the first battle of Bull Run, Federal troops lose again, retreating back to Washington.
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Abraham Lincoln implements the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring the emancipation of all slaves, throughout the whole country. This majorly boosts Union morale and hurts the South. It also allowed for black men to join and serve in the Army.
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Citizens are drafted into the army, an unpopular move. The rich and wealthy had the opportunity to pay their way out of the draft, however poor farmers and lower classes could not.
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General Joseph Hooker fails to flank Confederate forces and retreats. However Lees victory suffers much causalities including "Stonewall" Jackson which serves as a great blow. Lee asks president Davis for permission to invade the North.
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In retaliation the Confederates establish an act declaring the enlistment of black troops counts as inciting servile rebellion, therefore anyone involved is to be executed.
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The battle of Gettysburg is the result of the Gettysburg campaign. It becomes the bloodiest battle of the entire war, and ends Lee's hopes of successfully invading the North. Union forces win.
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Union forces succesfully defend the Confederate attack of Chattanooga, strategically denying another important battle from the South.
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General Lee abandons the Capital and moves west in hopes of meeting with General Johnston
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On April 12, the Army of Northern Virginia formally surrenders and is disbanded.
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President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated by actor John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theater in Washington, DC.
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General Simon Boliver Buckner agrees to surrender his army, officially ending the last significant Confederate fighting force. The Civil War is over, the Union has won.
