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Mexican War
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. -
Fugative Slave Law
Enacted in 1793. Created to return runaway slaves to their owners but Northerners did not follow. Frustrating southern plantation owners, the Fugitive Slave Law was reinforced in 1850, attempting to eliminate the Underground Railroad. -
Publishing of Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin to give the common white man the perspective of a slave. The novel created more tension between the north and south regarding slavery and encouraged the Civil War. -
Bleeding Kansas
After the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed, pro-slavery men from Missouri came into Kansas and murdered anti-slavery settlers. The anti-slavery settlers retaliated and eventually defeated the men. -
Birth of Republican Party
After “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, all opposed slavery. The southerners felt threatened that slavery might become abolished, which caused more tension between the North and South. -
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 declared that the was property, therefore his case was invalid. This cause the North to be even more upset that the Supreme Court was supporting the Southern view. -
Illinois Senatorial Elections of 1858
Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln debated over several topics, including slavery and the Dred Scott decision.The South was afraid of Lincoln in fear of the abolition of slavery. Douglas won this election however, Lincoln’s views helped him win in the next. -
Confederacy is formed
Since Southerners disagreed with many policies and tensions were increasing, seven states finally left the Union. South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas all seceded and established the Confederate States of America. They went on to elect Jefferson Davis as the only president of the Confederacy. -
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter officially sparked the Civil War. After South Carolina seceded, Fort Sumter was one of two southern forts that still belonged to the Union.After learning Lincoln was sending supplies there, the Confederate army demanded the fort’s surrender then attacked it. The next day, Union congress declared war on the Confederacy. -
Period: to
Civil War
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Lincoln re-elected
Abraham Lincoln was elected for a second term as president, and won with 212 of the 233 electoral votes and 55 percent of the popular vote. This election was one of the most important election in American history, whether the war would end in an surrender or a negotiated agreement was at stake. Republicans and “pro-war” Democrats formed the National Union Party, which re-nominated Lincoln. Lincoln beat Democratic candidate George B. McClellan. -
Hampton Roads Peace Conference
Lincoln met with Southern representatives and officials at Hampton Roads, Virginia to discuss peace agreements. Lincoln refused to grant the South anything and the meeting ended within hours, ending in a failed result to arrange a peace agreement. -
Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address
In Lincoln’s 701 word Second Inaugural Address, he reflected on the causes and purposes of the war. Lincoln wanted to unite the nation by saying the war happened because of the North and the South. Lincoln also talked about the future of the nation and how the war would help remind both sides of the conflict, and keep them united. -
Surrender at Appomattox Court House
General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox court House in Virginia. By April Grant had cut off the supply lines to Lee’s army and forced them to leave Petersburg and Richmond. However, the confederate were overtaken by Ulysses’ troops west of Richmond. -
Lincoln Killed and Johnson is President
President Lincoln was shot and killed by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theatre in Washington DC. The next day vice president Andrew Johnson took over for Lincoln. Johnson tried to restore the South to the Union, but had problems with Radical Republican. In 1868 Johnson was impeached by Congress, but not removed from office. -
Amnesty Proclamation
President Andrew Johnson issued a proclamation granting amnesty and pardon. He noticed the failure of the confederacy fulfilling the terms set by Lincoln, so renewed the offer in his own proclamation. Johnson’s proclamation insisted that people wanting amnesty had to take an oath to disclaim slavery and to defend the U.S Constitution. -
Thirteenth Amendment Ratified
the 13th Amendment declared that slavery or any type of forced servitude will be in the U.S. This Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. The ratification came 8 months after the Civil War, but represented the struggle against slavery, the North was fighting to end slavery while the South was fighting the keep their slaves. -
Civil Rights Act of 1866
Granted citizenship and the same rights of white men to all males in the United States. President Andrew Johnson’s veto of the bill was overturned by a ⅔ majority vote in both houses of the Congress. The Bill became a Law, and Johnson’s attitude contributed to the growth of the Radical Republican movement, and increased aid to former slaves. -
Fourteenth Amendment Ratified
Granted citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the United States. It also forbade states from denying anyone his life, liberty, or property without a due process of law. Now blacks could participate in court, and the Amendment was meant to protect the civil rights of all Americans. -
Fifteenth Amendment
The 15th Amendment protected the rights of Americans participate in the elections of the leaders by voting. It confirmed the right to vote and lists conditions that are illegal to deny another person the right to vote based on race, color, or any previous job (like being a slave). Protected white mens right to vote and gave the blacks a right to vote. However, women still were not able to vote.