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Abraham Lincoln is elected president
In the presidential election, Lincoln won against John Cabell Breckinridge and Douglas from the Democratic Party, and John Bell from Constitutional Union Party, and was elected as the President. After the election, South Carolina along with six southern states, seceded from the union. -
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina secedes from the Union. They are the first to succeed. It happens after Abraham Lincoln is elected president in the 1860 election. -
Jefferson Davis is elected president of the Confederacy
Jefferson Davis was named president of the Confederacy. He was a former US senator as well as secretary of war. He ran unopposed and was elected to serve for a six-year term. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
The first engagement of the Civil War. Confederate army began to bomb the fort because it was two forts in Southern territories that the Union still controlled. Union congress declared war on the Confederacy the next day. -
Battle of Bull Run
Confederate soldiers attacked Union troops who were in route to besiege Richmond. Union troops fled back to washington. Confederates did not realize their victory in time to follow up on it. It was the first major battle of the Civil War both sides were not prepared. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln freed all slaves that had seceded. Although he left out the border states. Lincoln had no power to enforce the law because the South had created their own nation with their own government. -
Second emancipation proclamation passed
Lincoln issued the Second Emancipation Proclamation. It was emphasized as a war measure, which freed all slaves in states or parts of states that were still in rebellion against the United States. Lincoln released the document at the perfect time during the war, which helped the Union. -
Confederate States of America was established
South Carolina seceded from the Union thinking the Sectional Party picked a president who was harmful to slavery. Later there were seven states that had seceded the Union; S Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and TX. The upper south-Virginia, N Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas-did not believe Lincoln's presidency was reason for seceding. -
Battle of Gettysburg
A battle in Pennsylvania that ended Lee's last hopes of achieving victory through an invasion of the north. This was the most deadly Battle in the Civil War, there were nearly 40,000 deaths. It was a turning point in the Civil War. -
10 Percent Plan
Former Confederate States would be readmitted to the Union if 10% of their citizens took a loyalty oath. Also if the State agreed to ratify the 13th amendment and outlawed slavery. Not put into effect because Lincoln was assassinated. -
Grant takes command
Abraham Lincoln appoints Ulysses S Grant as commander of all the Union armies. He lead all the Union troops against the Confederacy. General William T Sherman takes over as commander in the West. -
Siege of Atlanta
Battle was from May 7 - Sept 2. It was a Union victory. The battle was fought by Sherman and his forces. It was also fought around Atlanta and Northern parts of Georgia. -
Battle of Spotsylvania
Battle was fought from May 8 - 12. Union General Grant attacked Robert E Lee and his confederate forces. It was fought in Spotsylvania and was a Union victory even though Grant lost more troops. -
Sherman’s March to Sea
The Union’s General Sherman begins his March to Sea. He and his men march through Georgia, burning every town and field in their path. This is so when the confederacy retreats, they have nowhere to regroup and restock. -
13th Amendment Ends Slavery
United States Congress approves the addition of the 13th amendment to the Constitution. It ends all slavery in the US. Although it doesn’t give former slaves all their rights. -
2nd Lincoln Inaugural
Abraham Lincoln is sworn in to his second term as president. He used his second inaugural speech to touch in on divine providence. Also, even though the war was nearing an end, he spoke of sadness and not happiness. -
Union Captures Richmond
Union captures Richmond, Virginia. Although, the city had been nearly destroyed by shelling and fire. It was targeted multiple times by the Union throughout the war. -
Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse
General Lee and General Grant met in Virginia. The courthouse was closed because it was Sunday, so they met in the farmhouse. The confederates surrendered. -
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in Ford's theater by John Wilkes Booth. Booth thought that by killing Lincoln he was helping the South. The South did not like Lincoln because they thought he was trying to get rid of slavery. -
Battle of Palmito Ranch
It took place on May 12th and May 13th. It took place in Cameron County, Texas. The confederacy won this battle.