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Major Events During the Civil War
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Emancipation Proclamation
Declared “forever free” the slaves in those confederate areas still in rebellion. It did not free any slaves immediately. Changes the war aim from keeping the Union together to now ending slavery. Helps to influence Britain’s decision to stay out of the war.Removed any chance of a negotiated settlement with the South. -
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address was a ceremony to dedicate a cemetery. It summed up everything the Union was fighting for. In it, he invoked the principles of human equality contained in the Declaration of Independence and connected the sacrifices of the Civil War with the desire for “a new birth of freedom,” as well as the all-important preservation of the Union created in 1776 and its ideal of self-government. -
Election of 1864
The election fell in midst of war, which was between Lincoln and McClellan.The democrats were split in half which benefited Lincoln because half of them voted for him. In the end, Lincoln won the election. -
Black Codes
The 13th Amendment was passed, blacks were free. The South passed black codes. Black Codes are laws designed to regulate the affairs of the emancipated blacks and keep them as slaves. Penalties were imposed on blacks who “jumped” their labor contracts which made them work for 1 year for minimal pay. Ultimately, it was a way of slavery. -
Surrender at Appomattox
The Battle of Appomattox Court House was fought on April 9, 1865, near the town of Appomattox Court House, Virginia, and led to Confederate General Robert E. Lee's surrender of his Army of Northern Virginia to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. -
Lincoln’s Assassination
A few days later after the celebration, Lincoln went to Ford’s Theatre to watch “Our American Cousin”. Pro-southern actor, John Wilkes Booth, shot Lincoln in the Head. Booth jumped 20 feet out of the booth he was in and about 12 days later he was killed.
