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The election of 1860 was a four way contest that Abraham Lincoln won. He might have only received less than 40% of the popular vote but he easily won the electoral college vote. Due to Lincoln still winning the election all though no state in the South voted for him the South felt as though they didn't have a voice in politics. As a result of this many states seceded from the Union. The election of 1860 also pushed the US into Civil War. -
The South felt as though they didn't have a voice in politics and these made many of the states mad causing them to secede and form the confederacy. There were representatives from South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana that met in Montgomery, Alabama. This pushed the Civil War because the Confederate states wanted to assert their authority over the federal government so they could abolish federal laws that they did not support. -
Jefferson Davis was elected the President of the Confederate States to appease both the moderate and radical factions in the Congress as a compromise. His plan was to give the people what they wanted by helping to create the Confederacy that they wanted. Jefferson Davis was a strong supporter of Manifest Destiny and wanted to expand slavery into the new Western territories. He presided over the South's armed forces and and acquisition of weapons in the Civil War. -
Fort Sumter was the attack on the United States by Confederate forces on the Military garrison at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. The cause of this battle was because South Carolina couldn't handle a federal fort an important sea port, nobody was killed in this battle and in less than two days the fort surrendered. This battle caused the Civil War, the bloodiest conflict in American History. -
The first land battle of the Civil War was the Battle of Bull Run, Northerners called it this because of a stream that ran through the battlefield. This battle was so close to Washington that U.S. Senators could watch it. During this battle Federal forces tried to cross Bull Run to flank Confederate positions but were turned back by Confederate forces. This battle was not only the first land battle of the Civil War but also the first full-scale battle of the Civil War. -
This two-conflicted caused 23,000+ deaths and injuries and at that point the bloodiest battle in American history. This was the Confederacy's best chance at holding back the Union and keeping them out of Mississippi. This battle was the first time in which Grant used the "anaconda plan". It all started with Johnston launching a surprise attack against Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's federal army which initially went well for the Confederates. -
The Battle of Antietam killed around 3,500 soldiers and wounded 17,000. The Union completely outnumbered the Confederate but yet still incompetent, this led it to be the deadliest one-day battle in American history. With the Union winning it led Lincoln to be able to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. Although, during this battle both sides had major losses. -
As they were in the third year of bloody Civil War Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The proclamation stated that "all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free." The Proclamation added moral force to the Union and strengthened the Union's military and politics. -
This battle gave control of the Mississippi River to the Union. During this battle the Union army used siege tactics and most of the soldiers were very inexperienced. Due to the Union winning and having control of the Mississippi River the South can no longer receive supplies from the West. This battle was considered a critical win for both the Union and the Confederacy. -
The Battle of Gettysburg is often described as the war's turning point. Throughout the entire war the Battle of Gettysburg involved the most casualties. The Confederate's loss stopped their hopes of becoming an independent nation. The Battle of Gettysburg was so significant to the Civil War because this battle brought the war to a swift end. -
The Gettysburg Address was a speech by Abraham Lincoln. The speech defined the meaning of the Civil War. Lincoln describes the war as a momentous chapter in the global struggle. Lincoln also emphasizes the importance of unity, equality, and the democracy. -
Sherman's March to the Sea was a military campaign that lasted from November 15th to December 21st. As they went through Georgia they destroyed both military outpost and civilian properties. This march was in hopes to cripple the Confederacy's ability to wage war. Many experts say that this march helped to end the Civil War. -
The Appomattox Court House is a small village located in Virginia. The surrender between Lee and Grant took place in the parlor of the McLean House. Lee surrendered his army to stop any further suffering of his men. Before the surrender the battle started in the early hours of the morning and by the afternoon Lee decided to surrender his army. This battle led to the end of the bloodiest conflict in American history. -
Abraham Lincoln was at the Ford's Theatre when John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln in the back of his head. Soldiers carried Lincoln across tenth street so he could pass in peace and be surrounded by those who truly knew him. It is said that one reason Booth shot Lincoln is that he was enraged that he supported black citizenship. Booth even said "this is the last speech he will ever make" and then shot him three days later. -
The 13th Amendment states that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.". Due to the 13th Amendment four million African Americans (almost a third of the population of the south) was permanently free and slavery was ended/abolished. Mississippi was the last state to ratify the 13th Amendment and slavery was finally abolished.