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Civil War
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Jefferson Davis speaks for slavery
Mississippi Senator Jefferson Davis presents resolutions as to why slavery should be allowed in the territories. He also gave reasons as to why the nation should protect slaveholders. His intention was to unite the Democratic party. -
Cooper Union Address
Lincoln gives the Cooper Union Address, in which he validated the Federal Government banning slavery in new territories. This was Lincoln's most influential speech and many people believe it won him the presidency. -
Pony Express
The Pony Express begins going from Saint Louis, Missouri to Sacremento, California. It had 119 stations that were each 12 miles apart. They made it possible for more letters to be delivered in a more timely manner. -
Constitutional party forms
The former members of the American and Whig parties meet in Baltimore and form the Constitutional Union Party, They elect John Bell to be their candidate for president and Edward Everett as candidate for vice president. -
Grace Beddel letter to Lincoln
Grace Bedell, an 11 year old girl, writes Lincoln. In her letter she tells him that a beard would make his face look better because it is so thin. Lincoln immediatly decides to let his whiskers grow out. -
Abraham Lincoln elected
Abe Lincoln wins the presidential election. The year is 1860. he wants to stop slavery. -
Southern Succession is urged
Seven senators and twenty-three representatives issue a manifesto urging southern secession. It also recommends forming a Souther Confederacy. -
South Carolina secedes
South Carolina became the first state to secede. They felt the south was being mistreated. Soon to come is the Confederate States of America. -
South Carolina Congressman Resign
The South Carolina Congressmen resign due to secession. However, their names remain on the roll because the Union still does not agknowledge secession. -
South Carolina's Declaration
South Carolina issues their "Declaration of the Immediate Causes Which Induce and Justify the Seccession of South Carolina from the Federal Union". This was South Carolina's version of the "Declaration of Independence". -
Kansas becomes a state
Kansas is admitted to the Union. It is 34th U.S. state and was supposed to be a slave state. Much controversy led it to eventualy become free. -
Jefferson Davis elected
Jefferson Davis is elected the provisional president of the Confederate States of America. He is elected at the Weed convention in Montgomery, Alabama. -
Fort Sumter
The first battle of the Civil War happens at Fort Sumter in South Carolina. The battle lasted two days and was a victory for the Confederate forces. -
Lincoln is suspended
Lincoln suspends the writ of habeas corpus. This meant that people could now be imprisoned without being seen by a judge and told what their crimes were. Technically this is against the constitution but during a time of war it was necessary. -
Capture of the Tennessee River
Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant, capture Paducah, Kentucky without spilling any blood. This gives the union control of the Tennesse River. -
The Crittenden-Johnson Resolution
This resolution is passed by Congress to give reasoning behind going to war. It states that the war is to preserve the Union, not to end slavery. -
USS San Jacinto
This Union ship stops the United Kingdom mail ship, The Trent. They arrest two Confederate envoys, James Mason and John Slidell. This causes tension with the previously uninvolved Britain. -
Lincoln appoints McClellan
Lincoln appoints George B. McClellan as commander of the Union Army, He replaces the aging Winfield Scott. This is probably Lincoln's worst decision of the entire Civil War. -
Judah Benjamin
Jefferson Davis appoints Judah Benjmamin as his Secretary of War, This put him in charge of the Confederate army. After he resigned, Davis appointed him to Secretary of State. -
Kentucky and the Confederacy
Kentucy becomes the 13th Confederate state, This is really turning point because the Confederate states are becoming larger and larger. This also means they are gaining more power and resources. -
Greenbacks
This was a form of paper money introduced by Lincoln. It was the unified money for the United States and was used by the Union army. This money was distributed longer then any other money. -
Conscription
Davis and the Confederate Congress approve the conscription act. This calls forward any white male ages 18 to 35 to fight for the confederate army. -
Internal Revenue Law
This law would give the government funds to use towards the civil war. It put a tax on inheritance, tobacco, and incomes over $600. -
Alice in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll creates Alice in Wonderland. A tale he created for Alice Liddell and her sisters one day when they were going on a picnic. The little girl asked Carroll to write the story down and when he did he decided it would make a lot of money as an actual book. -
African Americans and the Army
The Union army is officially allowed to hire African Americans as laborers. This is a step in the right direction because they are on their way to becoming equal. The slaves are now allowed to help in the army that is being fought to free them. -
Antietam
The battle of Antietam is the bloodiest single day battle in American history. Neither side won the war but the Confederate retreat during the battle made it a victory in Lincoln's eyes. The battle ended in a loss of 110 men. -
Emancipation
Lincoln's plan for Emancipation is published in the Union newspapers. This gives the slaves hope for their freedom and even more of a reason behind the war. -
Grant Against the Jewish
Grant issues an order to bar Jewish people from serving under his command. This is horribly ironic because he is fighting to free a group of people because of the harsh treatment they are receiving. He then discriminates against another group of people simply because they have different beliefs.
