Major Events of the Civil War

  • Lincoln Elected

    Lincoln Elected
    Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th president of the USA. A Democratic party elected him and later Lincoln became the first republican to win presidency. The only people involved in Lincoln’s election were Lincoln and Democratic parties. (“Abraham Lincoln elected president”)
  • South Carolina Secedes

    South Carolina Secedes
    On December 20th, 1860, South Carolina was the first state to secede from the federal union. There were four former governors, four former US Senators, and 5 former US Congressmen. This ended by leading to the beginning of the Civil War. It happened when the Union Armies defeated Confederate armies which also sparked the Civil War. (“South Carolina Succession”, (National Park Service)
  • Confederate Formed

    Confederate Formed
    The Confederate States of America was a collection of 11 states that seceded from the United States in 1860 following the election of President Abraham Lincoln. Led by Jefferson Davis and existing from 1861 to 1865, the Confederacy struggled for legitimacy and was never recognized as a sovereign nation. (“Confederate States of America.”)
  • Civil War Begins

    Civil War Begins
    The Civil War began at 4:30 am on April 12th, 1861. Confederate armies started shooting on Fort Sumter in South Carolina’s Charleston Harbor. The Union forces surrenders less than 72 hours later. The most 3 important events that led to the Civil War were slavery, state’s rights, and expansion. This also includes Bleeding Kansas. (“Civil War Begins.”
  • First Battle of Bull Run

    First Battle of Bull Run
    This battle was also known as the battle of Manassas. This was one of the first battles of the Civil War. Union and Confederate armies clashed near Virginia on July 21st, 1861. The Confederate army was led by General Robert E. Lee and General John Pope led the Union army. (“History.com Editors, First Battle of Bull Run”)
  • Battle of Ironclad

    Battle of Ironclad
    This battle was also known as the battle of Hampton Roads. The battle occurred on March 9th, 1862. It was between the U.S.S Monitor and the Merrimack which happened during the Civil War. It was history’s first Naval battle. (“History.com Editors. Battle of Hampton Roads.”)
  • Battle of Shiloh

    Battle of Shiloh
    The Battle of Shiloh was a crucial victory for the Union during the Civil War. On April 7, 1862, the Civil War's Battle of Shiloh ended with a United States victory over Confederate forces in Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee. (“Battle of Shiloh.”)
  • Emancipation Proclamation

    Emancipation Proclamation
    President Abraham Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that as of all enslaved people in the states currently engaged in rebellion against the Union “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.” (“Emancipation Proclamation.”)
  • The Battle of Antietam

    The Battle of Antietam
    This battle was also known as the battle of Sharpsburg. On September 17th, 1862, General Robert E. Lee’s army went against General George McClellan. General George McClellan’s army was the culmination of Lee’s attempt to invade the north. (“History.com Editors. Battle of Antietam”)
  • Siege of Vicksburg

    Siege of Vicksburg
    The Siege of Vicksburg occurred on May 18th, 1863. It was a decisive Union victory during the American Civil War. This divided the confederacy and cemented the reputation of Ulysses S. Grant. (“History.com Editors. Siege of Vicksburg”)
  • Battle of Gettysburg

    Battle of Gettysburg
    The Battle of Gettysburg is considered the most important engagement of the American Civil War. After a great victory over Union forces at Chancellorsville, General Robert E. Lee marched his Army of Northern Virginia into Pennsylvania in late June 1863.
  • Lincoln Re-Elected

    Lincoln Re-Elected
    On November 8th, 1864, Northern voters endorse the leadership and policies of Abraham Lincoln. They then elected him to a second term. From his re-election, any hope for a negotiated settlement with the confederacy had vanished. (“Abraham Lincoln Re-Elected”)
  • Reconstruction of the South

    The turbulent era following the Civil War, was an effort to reintegrate Southern states from the confederacy. There was 4 million people freed in the Unites States. New southern state legislatures passed restrictive “Black Codes”. (“History.com Editors. Reconstruction”)
  • Robert E. Lee Surrenders

    Robert E. Lee Surrenders
    This event took place at Appomattox Court House in the state of Virginia. He surrendered his 28,000 confederate troops to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. This effectively ended the Civil War. He was forced to abandon the confederate capitol of Richmond. He was also blocked from joining the surviving confederate force in North Carolina. (“Robert E. Lee surrenders-History.”)
  • Lincoln Assasination

    Lincoln Assasination
    John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln at Ford Theatre in Washington DC. The assignation took place in April 14th, 1865. The attack only happened 5 days after General Robert E. Lee surrendered. (“History.com Editors. Abraham Lincoln’s Assasination”)