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Election of Lincoln
As the first Republican president, Lincoln posed a threat to Southerners due to the party's anti-slavery sentiment. -
Formation of Confederate States of America
The seven seceded states (SC, MI, AL, FL, GA, LA, TX) formed a new union to protect their right to own black people. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
The Confederate attack on American supply ships that resulted in an American surrender. This officially began the Civil War and caused more secession -
Final Secession
Tennessee was the 11th and final state to secede from the United States, though citizens in the east remained loyal to the Union -
First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas)
Union soldiers under the command of General Irvin McDowell attacked Confederate soldiers at Bull Run. They were defeated and humiliated due to Thomas J. Jackson's powerful stand. -
Battle of Shiloh
Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston attacked the forces of Ulysses S. Grant while he was awaiting reinforcements. Although the Confederates had the upper hand for the majority of the battle, it was ultimately a Union win. -
Seven Day's Battle
Confederate General Robert E. Lee's army attacked the Army of the Potomac, led by General George McClellan, and won. -
Second Battle of Bull Run (Second Manassas)
Union General John Pope led an attack against Robert E. Lee's army and was defeated. -
Battle of Antietam
This was the single-day bloodiest battle in the Civil War, fought between the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Virginia. Robert E. Lee was defeated for the first time and his first invasion of the North was stopped. -
Emancipation Proclamation
In an act to appease people and increase his popularity, Lincoln issued the proclamation, which stated that slavery would be abolished in the South on January 1, 1863. -
Conscription Act
Due to the military failures of the Union, the North was lacking soldiers, which led Congress to pass this act. Men were randomly drafted, but rich people could get out of fighting. This unfairness caused protesting and riots. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
General Lee defeated Union General Joseph Hooker despite having a much smaller army. Stonewall Jackson died as a result of the battle. -
Battle of Gettysburg
General Lee moved to attack the Union forces at Gettysburg but was stopped by the strong defensive position led by Union General George E. Picket. This was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War and half of Lee's army was lost. -
Surrender of Vicksburg
Ulysses S. Grant took control of Vicksburg, which allowed the Union control over the Mississippi which prevented the Confederate soldiers from getting supplies. -
Gettysburg Address
Lincoln delivered a short speech in Gettysburg in honor of the many soldiers lost in the Battle of Gettysburg. -
Battle of the Wilderness
General Ulysses S. Grant and General Meade fought Lee's army in a forest near Fredericksburg -
Battle of Cold Harbor
After days of fighting beginning in the Wilderness, the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Virginia at Cold Harbor. Both sides had staggering losses as the Union soldiers attempted and failed to get through the Confederate defense. -
Battle of Fort Stedman
In Robert E. Lee's last offensive, Confederate soldiers captured the Union fort for less than a day before being thrown out. -
Battle of Appottomax Courthouse and Surrender
The Army of Northern Virginia faced an assault led by Grant that severely weakened them. After being completely surrounded by the Union army, General Lee met with Grant and his army formally surrendered. -
Final Surrender
The last large Confederate army, the Army of the Trans-Mississippi, surrendered. This officially ended the Civil War.