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South Carolina secedes
outh Carolina was the first state to secede after Lincoln was elected president in 1860. A convention had been called by the government and legislature of South Carolina to discuss the succession because they knew Lincoln would interrupt their slave system. South Carolina was a strong believer in slavery and wasn't going to let Lincoln and the North get in the way. -
Formation of the confederate States of America
During the American Civil War, the Confederate States of America consisted of the governments of 11 Southern states that seceded from the Union, carrying on all the affairs of a separate government and conducting a major war until defeated in the spring of 1865. Convinced that their way of life, based on slavery, was threatened by the election of President Abraham Lincoln, the 7 states of the Deep South secceded. After the war began with the firing at Fort Sumter, 4 more states joined them. -
Fort Sumter
On April 12, 1861 General Beauregard sent Major Anderson a message saying that he would fire in one hour if Anderson didn't surrender. Anderson didn't surrender so the firing began. The South bombarded Fort Sumter from all sides. After many hours of bombardment, Anderson realized that he had no chance to win the battle. He was almost out of food and ammunition and his forces were badly outnumbered so he finally decided to surrender to the Southern Army. -
First Battle of Bull Run
Union and Confederate armies clashed near Manassas Junction, Virginia, in the first major land battle of the Civil War. Known as the First Battle of Bull Run, the battle began when about 35,000 Union troops marched from the federal capital in Washington, D.C. to strike a Confederate force of 20,000 along a small river known as Bull Run. After fighting on the defensive for most of the day, the rebels rallied and were able to break the Union right flank sending them retreating to Washington, D.C. -
Merrimack vs. Monitor
Merrimack vs. Monitor was a naval battle between the Confederate and Union ironclads. This was the first actual engagement that used an ironclad in battle. This kept the union blackade standing, and also made a new age of getting rid of wooden ships and showing the U.S. had a dominant navy. -
Battle of Antietam
Generals Robert E. Lee and George McClellan faced off near Antietam creek in Sharpsburg, MA, in the the first battle of the American Civil War to be fought in the north. Though McClellan failed to utlilize his numerical superiority to crush Lee's army, he was able to check the Confederate advance into the north. After Union defeats, this tactical victory provided Lincoln the political cover he needed to issue his Emancipation Proclamation. This battle was the single bloodiest battle in the war. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
Ambrose Burnside, the newly appointed commander of the Army of the Potomac, had ordered his more than 120,000 troops to cross the Rappahannock River, where they made a two-pronged attack on the right and left flanks of Robert E. Lee's 80,000-strong Army of Northern Virginia at Fredericksburg. On both ends, Lee's rebel defenders turned back the Union assault with heavy casualties particularly from their high position atop Marye's Heights. The results of the battle sent Union morale plummeting. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation freed all slaves in the South. It is considered ironic though, because at the time it was issued, Lincoln didn't have control over the South. While the Emancipation Proclamation did not free a single slave, it was an important turning point in the war, transforming the fight to preserve the nation into a battle for human freedom. -
Battle of Gettysburg
This battle is considered the most significant engagement of the Civil War. After a great victory over Union forces at Chancellorsville, General Robert E. Lee marched his Army of Virginia into Pennsylvania where he advanced the Confederates to clash with the Union's Army of the Potomac, commanded by General George G. Meade. The next day saw even heavier fighting, as the Confederates attacked the Federals on both left and right. Pickett's Charge failed and caused Lee to withdram his troops. -
Battle of Vicksburg
By 1863, Vicksburg was the last major Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River, controlling the transport of troops, supplies and arms along a significant stretch of the river. Union Major General Ulyssess S. Grant led his army and trapped the South. This was the culmination of one of the most brilliant military campaigns of the war. With the loss of Pemberton’s army and this vital stronghold on the Mississippi, the Confederacy was effectively split in half.