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Conflicts that caused/occurred during Civil War
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Turners Rebellion
On August 21, 1831, Nat Turner got a big group of slaves together and rebelled against whites. Him and the group of slaves freed slaves and killed whites. They were eventually stopped by the state militia and any of the blacks suspected with rebelling were beheaded. Because of this, slave codes and laws were more strict. William Lloyd Garrison was an abolitionist who wrote the Liberator which spoke against the slavery. This caused more division between the North and the South. -
Mexican war
Tensions between the U.S. and Mexico started with the annexation of Texas. Mexico still saw it as it’s own territory but it wasn’t. James Polk sent troops to the Rio Grande, ignoring Mexican demands to withdraw. Mexico attacked a group of soldiers on April 25, 1846. The U.S. army captured Mexico City in September 1847, basically ending the war. This led to the Wilmot Proviso. They didn’t know whether or not the land they got from the war should be free or not, stirring more conflict. -
Pattowatomie Massacre
John Brown was an abolitionst. He led five men who were for slavery out of their houses. He had 4 of his sons and others with him who killed the five men by stabbing them or shooting them. This news spread through newspapers in both the north and south angering people. -
John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry
On a night in October 1859, John Brown, along with 22, raided Harpers Ferry. He captured citizens there and took over the federal arsenal there. He was attacked by a local militia and he was then hanged in December. There were many Northerners who praised what he did which caused more division. Southerners prepared themselves for more attacks and this was sometimes viewed as the first battle of the Civil War. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
At 4:30 a.m. on April 12, 1861, Confederates started bombing Fort Sumter. The Union tried to fight back but they were unable to. After 34 hours, Major Anderson evacuated. There were no deaths until the surrender ceremonies when a gun exploded and killed two U.S. soldiers. This is often regarded as the start of the Civil War. -
Battle of Bull Run
Lincoln wanted a quick end to the war by getting to
Richmond. He ordered General McDowell’s army to attack. The Union was scared and positioned themselves slowly. Each side had very poorly trained soldiers and it ended in a Confederate Victory, with the Union having to retreat. This showed that the Union could not just ease their way through the war. -
Battle of Pea Ridge
The battle of Pea Ridge was the biggest battle of the Civil War. The Union routed one Confederate Army and held the other to a tie. They were vey outnumbered but were able to hold of the Confederates and maintain control of Missouri. Half of the Union troops in this battle were German immigrants. Each side had about 1,000 troops killed. -
Battle of Antietam
McClellan got a copy of Lee’s orders but he didn’t take full advantage of it. Lee’s Army got a strong defensive position close to Antietam. Lee was outnumbered heavily but Stonewall Jackson’s army got back just in time so that Lee wasn’t heavily defeated. Lee retreated but if McClellan would’ve taken full advantage, he could’ve defeated Lee. However, it was a turning point for the Union. This battle was known as the bloodiest battle in U.S. history. -
Battle of Vicksburg
Grant wanted to take control of the Mississippi and cut the south in two. At Vicksburg, he defeated two Confederate armies and attacked the city. The Confederates held them off for 6 weeks but eventually surrendered. This gave the Union control of the whole Mississippi River. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Lee was able to fight his way through the North starting in Maryland and into Pennsylvania. He met Meade’s army at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. Meade put his army in a good defensive position slowing Lee. When Lee sent around 14,000 of his men to try and take Cemetary Ridge, most were gunned down as they ran through an open field. Lee retreated and Meade did not pursue him because they had many casualties. This is known as the turning point of the entire Civil War for the Union.