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Invention of the Cotton Gin
The Cotton Gin was invented by Eli Whitney, who was born of December 5, 1765 in Massachusetts. The Cotton Gin was developed to help speed up the process of removing cottonseeds from the cotton. Many farmers had farm hands to help them remove the cottonseeds before this invention, which took a whole lot longer and required more help. When Witney produced this and started to sell them, many people took his basic idea and created there own version. -
Invention of the Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney's invention automated this way of removing cottonseeds from the cotton. This machine could genereate 50 pounds of cotton daily. Whitney did not profit from this machine on a large scale because so many reproductions were made. Planters began making there own versions of the cotton gin, as well to keep from having to pay Eli Whitney. -
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes. It consisted of houses that Harriet Tubman used to help slaves escape to the North. Slaves would secretely escape at night to meet there conductor. The conductor would help them move from point A to point B. There were many series of networks that connected paths, river, mountains, and people's homes. During the day these slaves would hide in haylofts and barns to prevent being seen. -
Underground Railroad
Harriet Tubman had many conductors that worked under her that helped many slaves escape into freedom. Harriet Tubman was one of the best conductors of the underground railroad because she had many connections in the south and she knew the backcountry. Many slaves would listen to their masters talk about the plans and they would tell Tubman. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise of 1820, made it legal to own slaves on the southern part of Missori down to Mexico. It was illegal to own slaves above the southern border of Missouri. Missouri was a territory of the US that wanted to be admitted as a state. In order for Missouri to become a slave state another state has to be entered as a free state. That free state was Maine. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was established in order to balance the slave states and the free states, so that one would not have more than the other. The southerners wanted the power to lean more to there side, so that there would be more slave states. Missouri became a slave state and the balance of power was leaning more toward the southern side, so Henry Clay proposed the idea that Maine could be admitted as a free state to balance the power in Congress once again. -
Wilmot Proviso
David Wilmot proposed that the land gained by the Mexican War would all be free states, and that no slavery would be allowed. This idea split Congress. Wilmot felt that California should be a free state so that slaves could not take all of the jobs that the free whites needed. The House passed this idea but it never did form into a law -
Wilmot Proviso
David Wilmot was a congressman that introduced the Proviso to the House of Representatives. The Wilmot Proviso was made to establish a peace negotiation with Mexico to end the Mexican AMerican War. The Proviso was never passed. The House passed the proviso but the Senate did not. -
Compromise of 1850
President Taylor died and Millard Fillmore became President. Fillmore wanted to be able to please both sides with one single compromise. Some senators felt as if he should split one big compromise into multiple smaller parts. This compromise consisted of California becoming a free state, popular soverignty, slave trade abolished in DC, and Texas gets ten million dollars for lost of land. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was a series of five bills. New Mexico and Utah were allowed popluar sovereignty. The Fugitive Slave Act forced any federal official that had not or did not arrest a runaway slave pay a fine. This was the most controversal part of the compromise. Abolitionists increased their efforts to stop slavery and prevent it from spreading. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin is a novel published by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It is a story about Uncle Tom who was an african american man who lived in slavery. He was married and had three kids. Stowe was an abolitionist and her book was a huge seller in the North. This book also was a best seller in Europe, Asia, and Great Britain. This book became so popular because it made people realize just how bad slavery was. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin was banned in the South. This was published in order to inform the people of how bad slavery really was. The main purpose of this book was to make people agree and become part of the abolitionist group. -
Caning of Charles Sumner
Brooks did not take to very kindly that Butler was insulted by Seantor Sumnter, so he took matters into his own hands. After the Senate adjourned, Brooks attacked Sumner with a cane. He hit Sumner in the head repeatedly. Sumner had to be carried out, and Brooks just left without anyone trying to stop, because they were all too stunned of what he had done. -
Caning of Charles Sumner
The Caning of Charles Sumner was an attack on Senator Charles Sumner by Senator Preston Brooks. Sumner was an antislavery republican who gave a speech on whether Kansas should become a free or slave state. During this speech called"Crime Against Kansas"Senator Charles Sumner said something about Stephen Douglas and Andrew Butler. Preston Brooks was related to Butler and did not take kindly to this, so Brooks went up behind Sumner and beat him repeatedly in the head after the Senate adjourned. -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott was a balck slave in Missouri. He was taken by his master to the free state of Illinois and then to Wisconsin. Scott lived there with his master for many years and then because his master recieved orders from the army they were forced to move back to Missouri. Scott sued his master for enslaving him again. Scott said that he should be free since he had been free and lived in a free state. This case was taken to the Supreme Court where Scott was denied his freedom and the Supreme -
Dred Scott Decision
Court stated that no slave or a descendant of a slave can be a US citizen. A noncitizen cannot sue, therefore Scott was denied freedom -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates were a series of debates between Lincoln and Douglas. These debates happened when they were running against one another for Senator of Illinois. The debates were about the main issues that were dividing the US such as slavery, popular soverignty, and the social statuses of blacks. There were a total of seven debates. Lincoln did not want to mess with the states that already had slavery in them. Douglas was using this to his advantage and making Lincoln seem -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
as a black republican. Abraham Lincoln refused to let these accusation get in between him and his goal of becoming Senator. -
Raid on Harpers Ferry, VA
The Raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia was led by John Brown who was an abolistionist from the North. Brown came up with a plan to take over the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry. He planned for slaves to meet with him at the arsenal as a stand for their freedom. This plan backfired on him. Only him and twenty other men showed and they successfully took the arsenal but where then surrounded and captured by Robert E Lee and his men. On December 2 1859 Brown was found guilty and was hung. -
Election of 1860
The Democrats wanted to protect slavery. Slavery was the biggest controversy of this election. The new territories and states had not decided to be free or slave yet so this played a huge part of the election. -
Election of 1860
In the Election of 1860 slavery was a huge topic with the candidates. The Democrats selected John C. Breckenridge while the Republicans selected Abraham Lincoln. The Democratic platform wanted to protect slavey and Licoln did not want to mess with slavery, he said to just leave it be, where it already existed. Before the election Lincoln traveled in the South to try and keep the Union together -
Formation of the Confederate States of America
They confederate states also wanted the President to serve six year terms, they wanted to prohibit protective tarriffs, and also wanted to use federal money to improve internal improvements -
Formation of the confederate states of America
South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union. They were followed by six others. The seven states picked seven representatives to meet in Alabama, where they created the Confederate States of America. The South wanted this seperation to be peaceful, they were not out looking for a war. They formed a Constitution very similar to the Union's Constitution but they changed small things. They wanted to give cabinet officials the option to participate in Congressional debates. -
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter was the location of the first battle of the civil war.
Anderson sent President Lincoln a message that said Fort Sumter needed food and supplies. The Confederates did not want any form of Union power in the Confederacy, and since Fort Sumter is located in South Carolina, the Confederacy said that those supplies should be stopped. P G T Beauregard told the Union to evacuate, and they did not. Beauregard opened fire on the fort but only one died. -
Fort Sumter
The battle at Fort Sumter began at four thirty am. On April 13 anderson surrendered. They evacuated on April 14. In addition to the one killed there were 3 wounded by the accidental explosion. This event started the civil war -
First Battle of the Bull Run
The First Battle of Bull Run was the first head to head battle fought in the Civil War. This battle is also called the Battle of Manasses. The purpose of this battle was for the Union to attack the Confederates. The Unions leader was Irwin McDowell, while the leader of the Confederates was Beauregard. Beauregard was located near Bull Run. The Union wanted to defeat confederate and make their way to Richmond which was the capital of the Confederacy. -
First Battle of Bull Run
Jackson got the nickname "Stonewall" Jackson during this battle because he was standing like a stone wall in the battle. The confederates took off in the war strong and won the first head to head battle of the Civil War. -
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh was also known as the Battle of Pittsburg. Johnston led the Confederacy. Grant led the Union army. Johnston was killed by a accidental shot of a gun, and this was a devastation to the Confederacy. Grant ordered a counterattack on the Confederacy. The Union succeeded in winning this battle. Both sides, the Confederacy and the Union lost many soldiers in this battle. From here on out they knew that it would be a long drawn out war. -
Battle of Antietam
In the Battle of Antietan Hooker's troops began to attack the Confederates. They attacked the confederacy numerous times, and the Confederacy stood there ground and continued to fight for their freedom. This was and still is the bloodiest battle in american history. Stonewall Jackson stayed near Dunker Church near Antietam creek. Burnside and his troops tried to cross the stone bridge on Antietam creek. The Confederates tried to push the Union back across the creek and succeeded. -
Battle of Antietam
Through this battle, Lincoln was able to recieve the win that allowed him to deliver the Emancipation Proclamation -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was given by President Lincoln after the Battle of Antietam. This proclamation stated that all states that were at war with the Union could not have slaves. This meant the Border States were allowed to keep there slaves. The border states consisted of Maryland, Missouri, West Virginia, Deleware, and Kentucky. This did not end slavery. Many of the newly freed slaves joined the army either the Confederacy or Union. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg lasted three days. The Confederate troops were going into the town of Gettysburg to buy shoes, and met the Union troops there. The Confederate troops ran the Union troops out of town and the battle of Gettysburg began. This is one of the most famous battles of the Civil War. This was a bloody battle. The Union won this battle. Over one third of the Confederacy were casualties. While one fourth of the Union were casualties. -
Siege at Vicksburg
The Siege at Vicksburg was when the Confederates had a stronghold on the Mississippi River. Grant wanted to take this over in order to cut the Conferacy in half. This began in May but was not finished until July. In July the Confederates were surrounded by Grant and his men. Pemberton, the general in charge at Vicksburg, surrendered to Grant. Grant achieved his goal.He cut the Confederacy in half by taking control of the Mississippi River. By this happening this led to the loss of the war -
Gettysburg Address
Lincoln wanted to honor not only the Union troops but also the Confederate troops for loosing their life on behalf of what they beleive in. This is considered to be one of Lincoln's most famous speeches -
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address was given by President Abraham Lincoln. This was a dedication to the soldiers who had lost their life in this most famous battle. Edward Everett gave an introduction to this speech that lasted around two hours. When Lincoln finally gave the Gettysburg Address it did not even last five minutes. Lincoln wanted to create a national cemetary to honor the soldiers. There were over 50,000 casualties after the Battle of Gettysburg. -
Election of 1864
In the Election of 1864 Lincoln ran for re-election. Lincoln was running against George B. McClellan. McClellan was Lincolns former commander of the army of the Potomac. Lincoln's chances for winning were slim. Lincoln had been criticized on how he handled the war. The Northerners also did not like the Emancipation Proclamation or the suspension of the writ of habeous corpus because they felt he was siding with the democrats. Lincoln was, to his surprise, re-elected for President. -
Shermans "March to the Sea"
Sherman's March to the Sea was one of the most destructive campaigns of the Civil War. Sherman gasthered men and marched across Georgia towards the Atlantic Ocean and then North. This march began in Atlanta, Georgia. It ended in Savannah Georgia. Between the two states they tore through the South destroying land and property. This campaign was to prove that the Confederate government could not protect there people from any form of invasion. -
Sherman's "March to the Sea"
Some men stepped outside of the boundaries and raped women, and some went into their homes and beat the men. These were not in the plans of Sherman. Sherman just wanted to prove a point but not physically harm anyone. The men that did harm the innocent people were taking their anger out on the South in inapproriate ways such as these. -
Freedman's Bureau
The Freedman's Bureau provided assistance to thousands of former slaves. The war left people without homes, food, or clothing. This did not only help former slaves but also anyone who needed it, including whites. The Freedman's Bureau established a social order based on racial equality, since eveyone was concidered free now. They issued clothing and food to all who were in need. The bureau also operated hospitals and temporary camps. -
Freedman's Bureau
The Bureau also helped to locate many family members that were separated during slavery. They provided employment and they supervised labor contracts to make sure blacks were not taken advantage of again as well. -
Siege of Richmond
The Siege of Richmond is one of the last acts of the Civil War. This would have been one of the last attempts for the Union to defeat the Confederates. The Union thought Richmond was the capital of the Confederacy. Grant had moved his army to the South of Richmond. The Union had tried attacking the Confederates many times. Finally Grant was forced to surrender and retreat. By retreating Grant gave up Richmond to the Union. In the nine months that this lasted there were 7,750 casualties. -
Appomattox Courthouse, Va
Robert E. Lee and his army were trying to escape the Union troops. They also were trying to get there supplies in Lynchburg. Robet E. Lee and his troops tried to escape. The confederates did get ahead but were soon cut off by the Union. Robert E. Lee was surrounded by Union troops and he had no other choice but to surrender to Grant. The Union troops won this battle. It was the last engagement of the Civil War on Virginia land. It was also one of the last battles of the Civil War. -
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
William Seaward and Kirkward House were also soppose to be assassinated around the same time as Abraham Lincoln by some of Booth's co-conspirators. He hoped that the mass chaos and confusion would allow the South to comeback into power. -
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln and his wife went to Fords theatre to see Our American Cousin. John Wilkes Booth snuck into Abraham Lincolns box at the play and shot President Lincoln in the back of the head. Then Booth jumped down off the balcony and ran through the back of the Ford theatre and escaped. They immediately took Lincoln into the Hotel across the street. He lived the rest of the night and died the next morning. John Wilkes Booth was trapped and killed on April 26 in Virginia. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment was passed on December 6, 1865. This admendment states that no form of slavery shall exist except it is for a punishment for a crime. Only the federal government can enforce this type of punishment in order to keep the states from having slavery once again. In other words this amendment put an end to slavery. It made it illegal for one person to own another . A person cannot be another person's property. This amendment reenforces the Emancipation Proclamation. -
13th Amendment
This amendment abolished slavery for good in the United States of America -
14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment guarenteed that all citizened will have equal protection under law. This means that no matter your race or background you have protection. Another part of this amendment is that if you were born in the United States then you therefore or conciderd a citizen of the US. No state is allowed to take any rights of any citizens away for any reasons. This guarentees that children born into slavery are considered US citizens. -
14th Amendment
This amendment overrules the Dred Scott Decision because this now states that Blacks could now be citizens. This amendment protects the civil rights of all citizens -
15th Amendment
This amendment was ratified during the Reconstruction of the South. Every Man is guarenteed the right to vote because of this amendment -
15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment stated that no one in the United States could be denied the right to vote because of race, color, or previously being a slave. This amendment was passed by Congress of February 26 1869 but was not ratified by every state until February 3 1870. In the South many African Americans were still not allowed to vote due to the fact that they could not read or write. The South woudl deny blacks the right to vote for any reason they could find. -
Election of 1876
two democrats, two republicans, and one independent. The independent was replaced by a republican due to the fact that democrats "appointed" the independent. Hayes won the election. His first act as President was to remove all federal troops out of the South. The Reconstruction in the south was over -
Election of 1876
In the Election of 1876 the Republicans elected Rutherford B. Hayes and the Democrats selected Samuel J Tilden. Tilden recieved 184 of the 185 elctoral votes. The Republicans refused to believe it, and accused the Democrats of using physical intimidation and bribery to keep African Americans from voting. Democrats accused that Republicans had destroyed the ballots by smearing Tilden's name so no one could vote for him. Congress then established and electoral commission that consisted of two
