Events That Lead up to the Civil War

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    Events That Led to the Civil War.

  • Dread scott remains a salve

    Cort says scott is not a u.s. citicen and cannot sue- he remains a slave.
  • Abraham Lincon is elected president

    Abraham Lincon is elected president in a political contest denomonated by the decution of slevery.
  • south carolina secseds from the union.

    South carolina secseds from the union then soon after many other states also seced from the union.
  • Fort sumter

    At 4:30 a.m. Confederates under Gen. Pierre Beauregard open fire with 50 cannons upon Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. The Civil War begins.
  • President Lincoln issues a Proclamation

    President Lincoln issues a Proclamation calling for 75,000 militiamen, and summoning a special session of Congress for July 4.
  • The Congress authorizes a call for 500,000 men.

    Lincoln, in a speech to Congress, states the war is..."a People's contest...a struggle for maintaining in the world, that form, and substance of government, whose leading object is, to elevate the condition of men..." The Congress authorizes a call for 500,000 men.
  • U.S. Navy

    The beginning of an international diplomatic crisis for President Lincoln as two Confederate officials sailing toward England are seized by the U.S. Navy. England, the leading world power, demands their release, threatening war. Lincoln eventually gives in and orders their release in December. "One war at a time," Lincoln remarks.
  • George Washington's birthday.

    January 31, 1862 - President Lincoln issues General War Order No. 1 calling for all United States naval and land forces to begin a general advance by February 22, George Washington's birthday.
  • The Union now becomes a revolutionary struggle for the abolition of slavery.

    January 1, 1863 - President Lincoln issues the final Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves in territories held by Confederates and emphasizes the enlisting of black soldiers in the Union Army. The war to preserve the Union now becomes a revolutionary struggle for the abolition of slavery.
  • Grant is placed in command of the Army of the West.

    Gen. Grant is placed in command of the Army of the West, with orders to capture Vicksburg.
  • The U.S. Congress enacts a draft.

    The U.S. Congress enacts a draft, affecting male citizens aged 20 to 45, but also exempts those who pay $300 or provide a substitute. "The blood of a poor man is as precious as that of the wealthy," poor Northerners complain.
  • Confederates are defeated

    The tide of war turns against the South as the Confederates are defeated at the Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania.
  • Abraham Lincoln is re-elected president

    Abraham Lincoln is re-elected president, defeating Democrat George B. McClellan. Lincoln carries all but three states with 55 percent of the popular vote and 212 of 233 electoral votes. "I earnestly believe that the consequences of this day's work will be to the lasting advantage, if not the very salvation, of the country," Lincoln tells supporters.
  • The U.S. Congress approves the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution

    The U.S. Congress approves the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, to abolish slavery. The amendment is then submitted to the states for ratification.
  • Northern Virginia attacks.

    The last offensive for Lee's Army of begins with an attack on the center of Grant's forces at Petersburg. Four hours later the attack is broken.