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Mexican War
-April 25, 1846 - February 2, 1848
-The Northerners accused the Southerners of fighting Mexico just to expand slavery. They also disapproved of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo for adding more land to the south. This was only the beginning of tension between the north and south. -
Wilmot Proviso
Pennsylvania representative David Wilmot said slavery should not be allowed in the territory gained from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The Southerners hated him, and his proviso started one of the first federal slavery debates. His ideas were used as the foundation for the Free Soil party. -
Fugitive Slave Law
This law was first enacted in 1793. It was supposed to ensure the return of slaves to their owners, but the Northerners did not abide by it. Frustrating southern plantation owners, the Fugitive Slave Law was reinforced again in 1850. It became stricter and attempted to permanently get rid of the Underground Railroad, which the north did not agree with. -
Publishing of Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin to show readers how poorly the slaves were being treated. Known as the greatest American propaganda novel ever written, the book even reached Europe and stopped Europeans from supporting the south. The novel also worsened the relationship between the north and south, and encouraged the Civil War. -
"Bleeding Kansas"
After the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed, pro-slavery men from Missouri came into Kansas and assaulted anti-slavery settlers. The anti-slavery settlers then retaliated and eventually won. The tension between the two groups also contributed to the Civil War. -
Birth of Republican Party
Following “Bleeding Kansas”, the Republican Party was formed with the core ideas that David Wilmot presented in his proviso. This party consisted of the Free Soil Party, the Know-Nothings, and leftover Whigs, who all opposed slavery. The southerners felt threatened that slavery might become abolished, which led to a greater separation between the two groups. -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott attempted to sue for his freedom because he was technically a free man due to the Missouri Compromise borders. The Supreme Court ruled against his favor because he was considered property, not a man. This ruling upset the northerners because they believed the southerners were legalizing slavery wherever they could. -
Illinois Senatorial Elections of 1858
Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln debated over several topics, including slavery and the Dred Scott decision. Southerners felt threatened by Lincoln because they thought he would successfully abolish slavery. Although Douglas won and became senator, Lincoln’s opinions later helped him beat Douglas in the presidential elections of 1860. -
Confederacy is formed
Due to the southerners disagreeing with many policies and tensions worsening, seven states finally left the Union. South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas all seceded and created the Confederate States of America. They elected Jefferson Davis as their president and began planning for their new nation. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
-April 12 - 14, 1861
-Fort Sumter officially sparked the Civil War. After South Carolina’s secession, Fort Sumter was one of two southern forts that still belonged to the Union. Upon learning that Lincoln planned on sending supplies there, the Confederate army demanded the fort’s surrender then attacked it. The next day, congress declared war on the Confederacy. -
Lincoln re-elected
Abraham Lincoln was re-elected president with over half of the popular votes and 212/233 electoral votes. This election determined the outcome of the war, and became known as one of the most important elections in US history. Lincoln won against Democratic candidate George B. McClellan due to his supporters of the National Union Party, which consisted of Republicans and pro-war Democrats. -
Hampton Roads Peace Conference
Lincoln met with Southern representatives at Hampton Roads, VA to negotiate agreements. The meeting failed and ended in a matter of hours, due to Lincoln's unwillingness to grant the South anything. -
Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address
Lincoln focused on the causes and purposes of the Civil War in his second inaugural address. He blamed both the north and south equally for causing the war to create national unity. In his speech, he also discussed the future of the country and how the war would be a constant reminder as to why the country needs to stay unified. -
Surrender at Appomattox Court House
Gen. Robert E. Lee's troops wanted to reach their supplies at Lynchburg, but Union forces were quickly surrounding them. They were gaining ground until Union reinforcements arrived. Lee finally surrendered to Grant on April 9.This officially ended the Civil War. -
Lincoln Assassinated
John Wilkes Booth shot President Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre on April 14, 1865. Andrew Jackson replaced Lincoln, and made efforts to restore the South. He encountered conflicts with Radical Republicans, and was later impeached but not removed from office. -
Amnesty Proclamation
Andrew Jackson enacted a proclamation of amnesty and pardon for the southern states. He followed Lincoln's proclamation and tried to get the southerners to actually fulfill the terms that Lincoln demanded. To receive amnesty and pardon, one was required to take an oath to protect the Constitution and not have slaves. -
13th Amendment Added
The 13th Amendment made slavery illegal in the United States. It was ratified eight months after the Civil War ended, but it was a solution for what the Confederates and Union were fighting for. This amendment demonstrated the struggle America faced. -
Civil Rights Act of 1866
Every male in the United States was given equal rights. Although Andrew Johnson opposed the passage of the act, ⅔ of Congress voted for it. The bill got passed and more help was provided to former Black slaves. -
14th Amendment added
Everyone born or naturalized in the US was given citizenship. A person was also not allowed to be denied from his life, liberty, or property without due process. Everyone could testify and sue in court now, including Black people. The 14th Amendment was intented to protect every right of every citizen. -
15th Amendment Added
Every American man was now allowed to vote. No man could be turned away from then on just because of their race, color, or previous occupations. Black men were allowed to participate as well, but not women.