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Period: to
Civil War
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Cotton Gin Invention
The Cotton Gin was an invention by Eli Whitney. This invention shaped the face of slavery and increased the demand for slave labor. This machine allowed cotton to be produced at a faster and more efficient rate. This invention also brought about the increase for slavey labor, which was on a decline in the States. Slaves could work longer hours and produce more for their masters as a result of this invention. Eli Whitney changed the face of slavery forever. -
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was key to the escape of slaves from plantations. The exact year is unknown of when the Underground Railroad was started but sources show that around 1780 there were organized escape routes with houses where slaves could hide out. The Underground Railroad was very important because it allowed slaves to get to freedom, and it showed to the United States that people were willing to risk their lives to save the enslaved people. -
Underground Railroad
The safe houses were owned by people who were wiling to risk everything they had in order to save enslaved people. One of the most famous conductors of the Railroad was Harriet Tubman. -
The Missouri Compromise
A debate over power and representation was surfaced when new states were going to be admitted to the United States. A compromise was needed to balance the power between slaved and free states. Henery Clay proposed the Missouri Compromise to solve the issue of representation and power. This compromise had strict boundarires as to where slavery could be established, and stated that for every slaved state there must be a free state. This means an equal number of each type of state. -
Compromise of 1850
Henry Clay, the Great Compromiser, proposed the Compromise of 1850. This compromise admitted California, which would upset the balance of slaved and free states. New Mexico and Utah were admitted as territories and would be able to decide whether to have slavery or not. The slave trade was banned in Washington D.C. and the fugitive slave act was passed. The fugitive slave act was a very debated and discussed topic that held heated debates in the states. Slavery was key in this compromise. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin Publication
This book stirred opposition to slavery and can be traced to the beginnings of the Civil War. Uncle Tom's Cabin had a lasting impact on how people viewed slavery. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin Publication
Harriet Beecher Stowe was the author of a widely purchased book called "Uncle Tom's Cabin." This was a story about an enslaved man and what happened to him. The significance of this book was the fact that it opened the eyes of many people about the cruelties of slavery. This book also gave abolitionists support in other countries such as England. The South banned this book due to its opposition and negative mindset towards slavery. -
The Canning of Charles Sumner
Charles Sumner spoke out against the Sack of Lawrence calling the criminals numerous names. Sumner also bashed a fellow Senator about the issue of slavery named Andrew Butler. The speech given by Sumner lasted two days. Sumner's comments on Butler angered a man named Preston Brooks, who was a distant relative of Butler. Brooks, two days later, proceeded to brutally attack Sumner by beating him with his cane. (continued) -
The Canning of Charles Sumner
Sumner had extensive injuries from the ordeal that took several years to heal. This event gave the Northerners a reason to believe that Southerners were vicious and brutal people. -
Dred Scott Case Decision
The decision in this case stirred intense feelings in the country. The court ruled that a black slave, not even if they are free, could be considered a citizen of the United States. This means that slaves could not sue in a federal court. This ruling also stated that the federal government could prohibit slavery in its territories. This decision is important because it denied Africans from becoming citizens of the United States. (continued) -
Dred Scott Case Decision
This decision also limited the federal governments control over the states. This gives the South the idea that the states rights should be protected. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
In the end Douglas won the senate seat in the election. Lincoln however started looking for the presidential nomination from the Republican party. Lincoln got the nomination and went on to become president of the United States. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
The Lincoln-Douglas debates were for a senate seat that was currently held by Douglas. Lincoln, the Republican Candidate wanted the seat on the Illinois legislature. There were a series of seven debates the most famous were in Freeport, Quincy, and Alton because the issue of slavery was addressed in these debates. In Freeport, Douglas stated that the idea of popular sovereignty should be brought back. This gave the people the choice whether to have slaves instead of making the government decide -
Raid on Harpor's Ferry
The Raid on Harpor's Ferry was led by a man named John Brown. Brown was an avid abolitionist who took action against the government in order to assist slaves. He wanted to take an arsenal to gain weapons in order to fight for slave’s freedom. Brown had a small team that went in to Harpor's Ferry and attempted to take the town. Brown thought that the local slaves would rise up and assist them in their efforts but unfortunately for Brown, the slaves didn't come to his aid. (continued) -
Raid on Harpor's Ferry
Brown was pinned down by local militia and captured. The surviving men that fought with Brown, along with Brown, were later executed for their actions. This showed to the nation that people were willing to take action against slavery. -
The Election of 1860
The election was between the Northern supporting Republicans, and the southerners who supported the Democrats. The Republican Party’s stand on slavery was that it opposed the expansion of slavery. They were not going to allow it to expand which made the party against slavery. During this election the Democratic Party was split over differing ideas. This gave room for Lincoln to win the election and become president. -
The Election of 1860
This election proved that the North and South were split as sectional issues were apparent during this election. The North voted for the candidates who opposed slavery, while the South only voted for those who supported slavery. This demonstrated the sectional issues that were becoming more apparent. -
Formation of the Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was formed when seven states seceded from the Union. Leaders met in Alabama to found the Confederate States of America. They formed a constitution similar to the United States Constitution with a few minor differences concerning presidential terms and powers. The leaders chose Jefferson Davis as the president of the new Confederacy. Slavery was recognized and protected, this was a major difference between this constitution and the United States Constitution. -
The Attack on Fort Sumter
This marked the beginning of the fighting between Union and Confederate troops, and that the Confederates were willing to fight for their ideas and country. -
The Attack on Fort Sumter
The firing on Fort Sumter was the first battle between the Confederates and the Union. No lives were lost in this battle, and there wasn't a head on collision between armies; this was a battle in which the Confederates bombed a Union fort. The fort was controlled by Union Major Anderson. General B.T. Beaugraud was the leader of the Confederate troops. After a night of shelling, Major Anderson surrenders and gives up the fort to the Confederacy. (Continued) -
First Battle Of Bull Run
The First Battle of Bull Run was a very important event in the Civil War. The First Battle of Bull Run was the first engagement between Confederate and Union. This surprised the nation because most people thought that the two armies would never fire upon each other since they came from the same country. This was the first army to army battle of the Civil War. This battle gave the South hope that they could win the war quickly because they beat back the Union troops. -
The Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh was a two day battle located on the Tennessee River. The battle got its name from a church located nearby called Shiloh Church. This battle was significant because it made both sides realize that the war could not be won quickly. Both Union and Confederate forces lost numerous troops in this battle. The Confederates lost General Johnson in this battle as well when he was shot while direction Confederate forces. In all both sides lost 23,745 men in this battle. -
The Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam was the single bloodiest day in the Civil War. This was a battle the South needed to win because if they had won, the British and French might have recognized them as a country and would have sent help. The Union Victory at this battle gave way for Lincoln to give the Emancipation Proclamation, which gave the Union a reason to fight. This boosted morale for the Union while giving the Confederates a crippling defeat in the eyes of foreign nations. -
The Battle of Antietam
While there was no clear winner in this battle, the Union gained a moral advantage over the Confederates which would push them to win the war. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was issued after the battle at Antietam. Lincoln felt that it was time to give the war a purpose for the Union. If the Union had a purpose for fighting, they would become inspired and fight better. Lincoln issued that all slaves, in states at war with the Union, were to become free. The Civil War became a war on the issue of slavery. (continued) -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation did not free slaves in the border states because they Union needed to keep those states from becoming hostile. The Emancipation Proclamtion helped to inspire the Union and helped them to win the war. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
Gettysburg was the biggest battle of the Civil War. In the battle of Gettysburg, more were fighting and died than any other American war in our history. This was a four day battle that ultimately made it apparent that the Union was going to win the war. The South was on the offensive, attacking Union troops who were in a defensive position. In this battle there were 51,000 casualties. (Continued) -
The Battle of Gettysburg
This battle was the most important turning point in the civil war as it decimated the South's army physically and mentally as their plan to punch through the Union lines had failed. -
The Siege at Vicksburg
This was a key battle because it allowed the Union to capture the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi. This opened the MIssissippi River up for Union ships to move freely without opposing forces. -
The Siege of Vicksburg
The Siege of Vicksburg was a battle between Union troops and Confederate troops who were defending the city of Vicksburg. The Union had over 35,000 troops, while the Confederates could only muster 18,500 troops when the battle first started. After the it was clear that the Union could not win the city in one quick battle, they laid siege to the city. The Confederates dug in and tried to wait for reinforcements. These did not come and on July 4th, 1863, the Confederates at Vicksburg surrendered. -
The Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg address was short and to the point, the address also made it clear that Lincoln still felt grief for those being killed on both sides of the war. -
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address was a speech given by President Lincoln comminorating those who lost their lives in the battle at Gettysburg. Lincoln did not only dedicate this speech for the Union troops who died at the battlefield, but also to the Confederate troops. Lincoln wants to end the war in honor of those who have died on the battlefield so that they did not die in vain. He also states that "all men are created equal" meaning that this is still a war to give equality to the enslaved people. -
The Election of 1864
The Election of 1864 had Lincoln going against McClellan. This was a major election because McClellan was the Union Armies former commanding general. He repeatedely attacked Lincoln and made it very apparent that he did not like Lincoln. McClellan had been hired and fired by Lincoln many times in the past. This election was won by Lincoln who would later lead his country to victory to restablish the union as a whole. -
The Siege of Richmond
The Siege took nine months to succed, but was very successful as General Grant had General Lee's army pinned down. This allowed other Northern Armies to attack the South. When Lee retreated from Richmond he wanted to surrendor his Army and end the fighting as he saw no way to win the war. The fall of Richmond led to the end of the war. -
Siege of Richmond
The Siege of Richmond actually started in 1864 when Grant laid siege on the town of Petersburg. Richmond was depended on this town for protection and if Petersburg fell, Richmond would too. Petersburg was an important railway station that supplied Richmond. The siege eventually starved out the Confederates in Petersburg and Grant took the city. On April 2nd, 1865 Lee retreated from Richmond, and Grant took the city. (Continued) -
Sherman's March
This was a major turning point in the war as it marked the downfall of the Confederacy. The South was split after Sherman's march, and could not recover from the mental and physical destruction. -
Sherman's March
Sherman's March marks the downfall of the South, General Sherman was able to cut through the Confederacy, striking key towns and places along his march. General Sherman completely torched Atlanta during his March. Sherman was met with light resistance as the opposing Confederate general could not rally his troops to fight Sherman's men. Shermans conduct in Georgia is questionable as he treated the town terrible by raiding houses, stealing food, and ultimately burning parts of it to the ground. -
Freedmen's Bureau Started
The Freedman's Bureau helped black soldiers get what they deserved from the country such as pensions and payments. Without the Bureau many blacks would have lived harder lives and may have lived in intense poverty. -
Freedmen's Bureau Started
The Freedmen's Bureau was crucial to the success and establishment of former slaves and poor whites affected by the Civil War in the United States. This Bureau was designed to start civil reconstruction and help freed slaves obtain citizenship. The Bureau provided a restart for the economy in the South by providing people with essential needs, and by providing education for freed slaves in the South. -
Abraham Lincoln Assasination
The Assasination of Abraham Lincoln was a major turning point in our country's history. The Civil War had just ended and the nation needed a strong leader to help rebuild what was lost during the war. Lincoln was shot and killed by a man named John Wilkes Booth. Booth attempted to escape, but broke his ankle which hampered his movement. Booth, however, did escape but was later killed by Union troops. -
Surrendor at Appomatix Courthouse
The surrender at Appomatix Courthouse marked the end of the Civil War. General Robert E. Lee surrendered his army to the Union and ceased all fighting, except for the troops that did not know the war was over. Lincoln gave the South generous surrender terms in which he did not punish them for their actions. Robert E. Lee was allowed to keep his sword and the armies were allowed to return home without conflict. -
13th Amendment Ratified
The thirteenth amendment officialy ended slavery for good in the United States of America. Slavery had been an issue in the colonies for a number of years, and was the root cause of the Civil War. To give a final verdict, the thriteenth amendment declared that slavery was abolished in the United States. This amendment was easily passed through the Senate, but was met with adversity in the House. (continued) -
13th Amendment Ratified
After Lincoln lobbied that the amendment should be added to the Republican party platform in the upcoming election, the House passed it and it became an Amendment. -
14th Amendment (Date Ratified)
The 14th Amendment granted all current citizens the right that they cannot be denied "life, liberty, or property, without due process of law". Also this Amendment gives citizenship to anyone born on US soil. This means all slaves born in the United States have the full rights of a U.S. citizen. This was a step to give former slaves the rights that they deserved. Slaves now had the rights that the Civil War was fought to give them. -
15th Amendment Ratified
The 15th Amendment gave African American men the right to vote. Although this amendment was not carried out, it paved the way for equality between the races. The right to vote was a major step for African Americans as this gave them a say in their government. Most African Americans did not register vote because of the restrictions white men put on voting such as poll taxes and literacy tests. The 15th Amendment states that race and color cannot be used to deny a person their right to vote. -
Election of 1876 (Compromise of 1877)
The election of 1876 came after the presidency of Grant ended, which was full of corruption. The new nominees were, for the Democrats Samuel J. Tilden, and for the Republicans it was Rutherford B. Hayes. Rutherford B. Hayes won this election, but it was a close election as there was not a majority winner. The compromise of 1877 gave Hayes the upper hand and he won. The compromise of 1877 stated that all federal soldiers would be pulled out of the South and Reconstruction would end.
