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Lincoln's First Election
Lincoln beat Stephen A Douglas, John Bell, and John C Breckenridge. Lincoln was from the Republican party. Before Lincoln could be inaugurated the first seven of the Confederacy had already joined together. -
South Secedes
South Carolina seceded first on this day. It was followed by Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas within the next two months. -
Confederate States of America Established
South Carolina, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas were the first states that formed the confederacy under Jefferson Davis. No foreign state ever officialy recognized the Confederacy as an official nation. -
First Income Tax
Was used in an attempt to finance the war. Did not actually produce very greay monetary results. -
1st Battle of Bull Run
1st major battle of Civil War. Mcdowell vs. Beauregard. Cofederate victory with a disorganized retreat of the Union forces. This was when the Union realized the war was going to be a lot more costly than expected. -
First Confiscation Act
Allowed any property the Confederates used in war to be taken by the federal government. Also said that any slaves used by their masters for the war would be freed. -
Trent Affair
Charles Wilkes of Union intercepts British ship and as contraband of war removes two confederate diplomats. The confederates were going to Britain and France in order to gain support and help for the Confederacy. -
Monitor Vs. Merrimack
Most important naval battle during the civil war. First battle between two "ironclad" ships. Ended in a draw, but the battle's impact on naval warfare was great. -
Shiloh
Major battle in the western area of the war. Confederates had success on the first day, but on the second day they had ended up losing. General Johnston was killed. Grant was leading the Union. -
Capture of New Orleans
Important event for the Union. The city was spared of the destruction that came upon many of the other Southern cities. Resentment gathered in the city. Turning point due to New Orleans being the biggest Confederate city. -
Morill Land Grant Act
President Buchanan originally vetoed the proposition, which allowed for the creation of land-grant colleges. However, when promised it would teach military tactics, Lincoln chose to sign it. -
Second Confiscation Act
Stated that any of the confederates who did not surrender within the next 60 days after the act passed would have their slaves freed in court. Only applicable to the Confederates in the places that the Union had occuppied. -
Battle of Harper's Ferry
Stonewall Jackson (Confederacy) against Dixon S. Miles and Julius White (Union). Major loss for union. 12,000 captured. Low cost for the Confederacy. Union garrison at Harper's Ferry was captured. -
Antietam
Took place near Sharpsburg, Maryland. First major battle to take place on Union soil. Single bloodiest day in American history with around 22,000 casualties. Although battle was inconclusive, the Confederates had withdrawn first, so this was a win for the Union. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Proclaimed the freedom of the slaves in the ten states that were still at war with the Union. Made the eradication of slavery an explicit war goal. -
National Draft Law Instated
Put into play due to people losing enthusiasm for the war. The law actually increased volunteers. Only about 46,000 men were drafted. -
Writ of Habeus Corpus Suspended
The writ of Habeus Corpus forced law officials to prove their position, and if they didn't actually have the authority to detain the prisoner, then the prisoner would be set free. Lincoln suspended it to stop those either interfering wth draft, discouraging enlistments, or aiding the confederacy. -
Vicksburg
Series of attakcs led by Grant that ended up winning the Union the Mississippi River, which they would hold for the rest of the war. Sometimes considered the turning point in the war. Ended July 3rd 1863 with the surrender of the garrison. -
Capture of Atlanta
The Union wanted to seize Atlanta due to important rail system and the supply center. Sherman was leading the Union. Was the beginning of Sherman's March to the Sea. -
Lincoln's Re-election
Lincoln beat George B McClellan. Lincoln was re-elected due to his recenet military success such as capturing Atlanta. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
Began with Sherman's troops leaving the newly captured Atlanta and ended with the troops capturing the port of Savannah on December 21st. The troops destroyed nearly everything in their path. This caused a lot of resentment from those left at home in the South during the Civil War. -
13th Amendment
Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. This amendment also allows congress to pass laws on sex trafficking and other modern forms of slavery. -
Surrender at Appomattox
Robert E Lee surrendered to Ulysses S Grant. The overall mood of the event on both sides was just sadness. The event triggerred a series of surrenders all across the South. -
Capture of Richmond
The capitol of the Confederacy fell to the Union. The government eas then evacuated and reestablished in Danville, Virginia. -
Lincoln's Assassination
Killed by John Wilkes Booth at the Ford Theatre. Original plan was to take out the secretary of state, vice president, and Grant too. Was on the run for 12 days, but was caught in a barn 70 miles away from Washington D.C.