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Invention of the Cotton Gin
The Cotton Gin was created in 1793 by a man named Eli Whitney. The Cotton Gin was a machine that automated the separation of cottonseed from the short-staple cotton fiber. His invention completely revolutionized the United States' cotton industry. Originally, cotton farming took lots of man-hours. His invention could produce almost 50 pounds per day. However, Whitney failed to receive any profit due to copies of his invention. His patent for it was unable to be upheld in court until 1807. -
Period: to
Ethan's Civil War Timeline
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Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise is also known as the Compromise of 1820. Missouri wanted to enter the US and become a state. There was much debate because it would disrupt the balance of power between slave and free states. It was proposed that Maine enter as well in order to keep the balance of power by becoming a free state so that Missouri would be a slave state. The bill was passed, but because of the Compromise, no slavery was allowed above the 36 30 latitude line. -
Underground Railroad
The underground railroad was first organized in 1834 by the National Antislavery Society. It was a attempt to smuggle slaves away from their plantations and out of the south. It wasn't just to the north. Sometimes it was out of the Union period. Harriet Tubman is the most renown leader in the Underground railroad. Known as the "Moses" of her people for leading them to freedom, Tubman led nearly 300 slave to their freedom. -
Underground Railraod (Continued)
Because of her knowledge about the lay of the land in the South, Tubman served as a spy for the Union during the Civil War. -
Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso was drafted by "The Great Compromiser" himself, Henry Clay. The war with Mexico had ended only two months earlier. The US acquired 500,00 square miles from Mexico. The dispute was whether or not to uphold slavery within that territory. The Wilmot Proviso banned slavery in those areas. The issue was debated heavily in Congress. Although it was passed in the House of Representatives, it was never passed by the Senate, so it never became a law. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was writen in response to the Wilmot Proviso. It was a collaborative effort by many senators to resolve the conflict. Men like Clay, Daniel Webster, James Polk, and Stephen Douglas. The Compromise was a a series of bills that would ushered through Congress. The most important of these bills was The Fugitive Slave Act. It required citizens to assist in the recovery of fugitive slaves. It denied a fugitive's right to a jury trial. -
Compromise of 1850 (Continued)
The Fugitive Slave Act required citizens to assist in the recovery of fugitive slaves. It denied a fugitive's right to a jury trial. Cases would would be handled by special commisioners; commisioners who would be paid $5 if an alleged fugitive were released and $10 if he or she were sent away with the claimant. The act called for changes in filing for a claim, making the process easier for slaveowners. According to the act, there would be more federal officials responsible for enforcing the law. -
"Uncle Tom's Cabin" Published
Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" changed the way slavery was viewed by many. The book took place in 1852 Kentucky and it tells the story of three different slaves and their experiences. Harriet B. Stowe was introduced to slavery at an early age. Her grandmother had many servants. Her father preached in favor of colonization of Liberia for those who are free. The biggest impact of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was that it converted the North and Great Britain to abolitionism. -
Caning of Charles Sumner
Charles Sumner had criticized Andrew Butler. Butler was a senator of South Carolina. Preston Brooks was a kinsman of Butler and was in Congress. He approached Charles Sumner on the 22nd of May and began to beat him over the head with his cane. The beating lasted a little over a minute and onlookers were shocked. Brooks resigned and was reelected. He received many canes from the South with "Hit him again" enscribed in them. It took Sumner 2 and a half years to recover from the beating. -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott was born into slavery in Virginia. He was bought and taken from Virginia to Alabama, and then Missouri. When his owner died, an Army surgeon purchased him and took him to Illinois, a free state. It was there that Scott made a claim for freedom. Scott thought first of buying his freedom after his second owner died, but the widow would not allow it, so he went to the courts. It took ten years for his case to reach the Supreme Court. -
Dred Scott Decision (Continued)
The Supreme Court ruled against Scott. They ruled that all people of African ancestry, slaves as well as those who were free, could never become citizens of the United States and therefore could not sue in federal court. The court also ruled that the federal government did not have the power to prohibit slavery in its territories. Scott, needless to say, remained a slave. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates (Continued)
The Freeport Doctrine states:
"Slavery cannot exist a day or an hour anywhere, unless it is supported by local police regulations." -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
The Lincoln-Douglas debates were all held in Illinois. They were the debates between the two men running for Illinois senate and all were about the issue of slavery. Douglas was the incumbant senator and Lincoln was the challenger. Out of all seven debates, number two is most significant. From the second debate we get the Freeport Doctrine. -
Raid on Harper's Ferry, Virginia
The raid on Harper's Ferry was headed by a northern abolitionist named John Brown. He devised a scheme to take the federal arsenal. He had arranged for slaves to aid as a symbol for their freedom. His plan failed after the slaves didn't show. He and his men were able to take the arsenal but were quickly surrounded and captured by Robert E. Lee and his men. John Brown was hung and forever associated with the Republicans by the Democrats. -
Election of 1860
Slavery was still the largest controversy in America. The new territories had yet been decided on free or slave states. Democrats selected John C. Breckenridge. Republicans chose Abraham Lincoln. The Democratic platform wished to protect slavery, Lincoln was not for or against. Lincoln believed that if kept within its own borders, it would eventually die out. Lincoln ends up winning the election. -
Formation of the Confederate States of America
South Carolina was the first southern state to secede from the Union. Them and six others met up in Montgomery, Alabama and drafted a Constitution. This Constitution was similar to that of the United States, but with minor changes. After this day, other states starting joining, and North Carolina was last to secede, thus forming The Confederate States of America. They chose Jefferson Davis as President and believed in abolishing tariffs and internal improvements. -
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter was controlled by the Union and surrounded by the Confederacy. Major Robert Anderson was expecting supplies from President Lincoln, and instead he received lead from Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard. At 4:30 AM, Beauregard began bombarding Fort Sumter, thus starting the Civil War. Beauregard did not quit until the Union forces surrendered. Only a horse died in all the chaos. -
First Battle of Bull Run
The 1st Battle of Bull Run was the first head-to-head battle of the Civil War. It is known to the Union as the Battle of Manasses. It was an attempt by the Union to attack the Confederates and make their way towards its Capital, Richmond. The Confederates had the same idea. It is this battle where Thomas Jackson receives the nickname "Stonewall" He stood like a stone wall as Union forces advanced. The Confederates started strong in the War by winning this battle. -
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh is also known as the Battle of Pittsburg. General Johnston headed the Confederacy. Grant lead the Union. Johnston was shot and killed in battle, which was a crucial loss to the confederates. Grant was able to once again, overwhelm the confederacy with his numbers and take the victory. However, this battle showed both sides, that this war would be anything but short. -
Battle of Antietam (Ends the 18th)
No other single day of American history before or since has been so deadly. The battle of Antietam was a major gain for the Union. They withstood the Confederate invasion. Lee's troops had done well to be so heavily outnumbered. This battle was to be the last for McClellan. Lincoln had lost all patience for his actions. He 'fires' McClellan, and appoints Ulysses S. Grant -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by Lincoln. It banned all slavery in states at war with the Union. This did not include the "Border States". Because they were helping the Union, Lincoln allowed them to keep their slaves. It did not end all slavery. Only in those states against the Union. It immediately freed 50,000 slaves. It did not compensate the owners and more were freed as the Union army advanced into the South. -
Battle of Gettysburg (Ends July 3rd)
Yet again, Grant has overwhelmed the South in numbers. Out of all battles fought during the civil war, Gettysburg is among the top. Fought in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, it did not end the war. It only ensured the North's victory in the war. Gettysburg is one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. The south would never recover from the losses suffered at Gettysburg. -
Siege at Vicksburg
This battle, and the battle of Gettysburg, can be seen as the turning point of the war. Grant was able to maneuver his troops across the Mississippi River. He drove the Confederate forces back. They were held up in their fortress city of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Grant's attempts at entering the city failed, so he decided to besiege it. Without any reinforcements, very little supplies, and a 40 day stand off, the Confederates surrendered. -
Gettysburg Address (Continued)
Finally, he stated that we would become a more unified nation in which states' rights were not so dominant anymore. -
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address was given by President Lincoln at the site of the Battle of Gettysburg. It is one of the greates speeches in US History. In the Speech he addressed several things. He referenced human equality, alluding to the Declaration of Independence. He stated that the Civil War was not a struggle for the Union, but the birth of a new freedom. This freedom would bring equality to all citizens. It would ensure democracy remain a valid form of government. -
Siege at Richmond
The Siege at Richmond failed the first attempt. Grant lost some thousands of his men. The second attempt succeeded. Grant expanded his troops around Petersburg. He stationed his troops along the railways leading in to Richmond. By cutting these supplies off, Grant starved Lee an his men out and chased them down to the end of the war. Lee fled to Appomattox. Grant and his men arrived right behind him. Lee had no choice but to surrender. -
Election of 1864
The election was held during the Civil War. Lincoln runs for reelection. He runs against his old leader of the Union army, George B. McClellan. Lincoln had been greatly criticized with his handling of the war. McClellan ran for the Democrats even though he did not agree with their platform. Lincoln won by nearly 400,000 votes. It was the first election since 1832 in which an incumbant president won re-election. -
Sherman's "March to The Sea"
His march to the sea began in Atlanta. He burned Atlanta to the ground. It ended in Savannah. He marched to the Atlantic Ocean and back to prove how the Confederates could not withstand an invasion. He believed in psychological warfare. He wanted to make a statement with his march. The Confederates had no power to stop the Union. -
Freedman's Bureau
The Freedman's Bureau provided assistance to former slaves. The war had left so many without homes and other basic necessities. The Freedman's Bureau not only helped slaves, but those who needed it, which included whites. They set up an order based on equality now that slaves were free and equal. The biggest accomplishment of the Bureau was education. They educated all those who had received little to no education and were illiterate. -
Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia
Robert E. Lee tried to get his troops out of Virginia and away from Grant. He tried to reach Lynchburg where they could regroup and try and push the Union out. His retreat was blocked and soon he and his men surrendered. It was one of the last battles of the Civil War. Ironically it had the same beginning and end. The war started in one man's front yard. The same man moved away from the fighting only to have the war end in his own living room. -
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln's wife had been wanting to go see a play for sometime now. With the war over, Lincoln gave in. On the night of April 14th, they went to see "Our American Cousin". Lincoln had no security with him that night. John Wilkes Booth snuck into President Lincoln's box. He shot him in the back of the head point blank. He jumped down onto the stage breaking his ankle and fled. He was found in a barn where he was almost burned down until they went in and shot him. -
13th Amendment
The 13th amendment abolishes slavery for good in America. It basically reinforces the Emancipation Proclamation. it states no form a slavery shall exist unless used for punishment. Those only with the power to enforce such an institution is the Federal Government. One person cannot own another. One person cannot be the property of another person. -
14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment guarantees all citizens equal protection of the law. No matter your race, you have protection. It also states that if you are born in the United States, then you are considered to be a US citizen. This guarantees that children who are born into slavery are accounted for as citizens. No state is allowed to deprive a citizen of their rights for any reason. Lastly, it overrules the Dred Scott decision because blacks are now allowed to be citzens. -
15th Amendment
The 15th amendment guarantees the right for all men to vote. You cannot be denied of due to race, nor due to former slave status. Many southern blacks were still denied the right to vote. The Ku Klux Klan was a major role in this. Started by old Confederate Generals as a social club, it grew to much more. They harassed anyone and everyone who did not vote Democratic. If they could keep blacks and White Republicans from voting, the power could stay with the Democrats. -
Election of 1876
The Election of 1876 was thought to be a fraud. Tilden held 184 electoral votes to Hayes' 165. Since Hayes controlled the three states Tilden needed, (LA, SC,FL) Hayes won. His first action is know as "The Compromise of 1877". It was this compromise that solved the "fraud" of the election. The Compromise took all federal troops out of the South, ending Reconstruction.
