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The first state to secede or separate from the Union was South Carolina. On this date, they held a convention in which they debated on whether or not to split. The vote was unanimous; all 169 representatives voted to leave the Union.
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North Carolina was the last state to secede and they did so on this date.
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South Carolina attacks Fort Sumter and the Union is defeated at this battle.
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The Battle of Shiloh begins in Tennessee. The South surprised the North.
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The Battle of Shiloh ends, with the North barely winning.
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Lincoln gave the Emancipation Proclamation speech, which gave the Southern slaves freedom if the South didn't return to the Union by January 1, 1863.
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By now, the Southern states have not responded to the Emancipation Proclamation that was issued in September of the previous year. At this point, the slaves of the South are free and most of them will go on to make their escape to the North and join the Union army.
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The Battle of Gettysburg begins in Pennsylvania. The South surprised the North.
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The Battle of Gettysburg ends. The North wins, and the South retreats.
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Lincoln gives his famous speech here to motivate people to end the war and stop the bloodshed of American troops, regardless of which side.
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Union general Sherman begins destroying cities from Atlanta to Savannah to fulfill his strategy of total war against the South.
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On April 9, 1865, General Lee surrendered to the North at the Appomatox Court House in Virginia. The North had won the war!
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The 13th Amendment was ratified; therefore, slavery in America was outlawed.
