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Election of Lincoln
Because the Democratic Party was split over the issue of slavery, the Republican candidate won the 1860 election. Lincoln beat John C. Breckinridge and Stephen A. Douglas for president. His election was the tipping point for the South. And shortly after his election, May 1, 1861, North Carolina became the first state to secede. This is significant because it was the tipping point for the South and was the final spark in the fire of the Civil War. -
TX secedes from the Union
Texas became the 7th state to secede after holding a vote. The majority of voters voted for secession as they where angered by the election of Lincoln and other issues. This was significant because it was when Texas officially took sides and joined the Confederacy. -
Sam Houston kicked out of office
Even though he supported slavery, Houston did not support joining the Confederate forces. The Texan could see that he could not win a civil war against the large northern army. However this proved to be a very unpopular idea and Houston was forced out of office. This was significant because it signified the Texans' die hard support of the Confederacy. -
Battle at Fort Sumter
The Fort Sumter battle was where the first shots where shot for the Civil War. Union soldiers where stationed at a fort in South Carolina. South Carolina demanded that the soldiers surrender. Lincoln claimed to be sending only food to the fort, however, the Confederate state wasn't so sure. They attacked before rations arrived, shooting the first shoot. The Conferederate forces won. This is significant becasue it was the first battle of the Civil War. -
The Battle of Galveston
The Union took Galveston but allowed citizens to leave. However, a year later, armed with cotton clad ships, the Confederacy attempted to retake the city. Although both sides lost ships and men, the Union lost many more ships and men in the battle. Although the Union enjoyed victory for a year, the Confederacy ultimately won, giving the South a valuable port. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The south wanted to attack the small northern town of Gettysburg, because of a succeful attack in the north once before, however it up losing Gettysburg, having 29,000 casualties. However, the battle spanned 3 days, the south won the first day. The battle ended on July 3rd. -
Battle of the Sabine Pass
The Union attacked a year before the second battle using cannons to win. They sunk two Confederate ships, taking control of the Sabine pass. However the Confederates came back to attack. They successfully took the port, ending up the winners of this battle. -
The Red River Campaign
The Red River Campaign was the unsuccesful Union effort to take control of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas because of their cotton. The campaign was led by Union Gen. Banks, with the support of a fleet of gunboats commanded by Admiral Port. The Union took Fort DeRussy and the town of Alexandria, LA. However Confederate troops lead by Gen. Taylor confronted the Union at Sabine Crossroad and defeated them. This caused the Union to withdraw. This was important. Union didn't gain cotton or land. -
The end of the Civil War
The Civil War ended at Appomattox courthouse. The Confederates surrendered having suffered many losses. The terms of surrender were written by Gen. Grant and allowed Condederate soldiers to keep their horses and go home. -
Battle of Palminto Ranch
Even though the Civil War had ended, the Battle of Palminto Ranch is considered the last major battle of the Civil War. The battle was fought in south Texas, where Condederates fought for what was left of their cause. They won the battle even though they had already lost the war. -
Juneteenth
June 19th marks the day that many Texan slaves learned they where free. It is when Union soldiers enforced the Emancipation Proclamation even though it was almost two and a half years after it was written. -
Reconstruction Ends
The end of the reconstrution was when the effort to make the U.S equal for everyone basically ran out of gas. People stopped caring about equality and the African Americans where treated terribly even though they weren't slaves.
