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Period: to
1st part of Civil war era
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Mexican Cession/ Compromise of 1850
The Mexican cession gave U.S. an expansive amount of land in the West that included 6 new territiories.The Compromise of 1850 dealed with determining if these territories would eventually be free or slave states; California was determined free, while Utah and New Mexico experienced no restrtictions on slavery. In addition, slavery was abolished in Distruct of Columbia and tougher fugitive slave laws were passed. The Compromise nurtured growing differences between the North and South = war. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin is published
Published by Harriet B. Stowe, this book capitalized on the evils of slavery in the South. It had a great impact in the North, not only with abolitionists but with the average Northerner, who never experienced slavery firsthand. It helped therefore harden the antislavery movement in the North and therefore a contributing factor in the lead up to the Civil War. In Europe it promoted the strong antislavery sentiments, making very difficult for any European government to be pro South. -
lincoln vs douglas debates
Lincoln challenged Douglas to 7 debates on relevant issues of that time during his run for Illinois senate. During the debates, the Freeport Doctrine forced Douglas to take a side on controversial issues (stated that a state could not be forced to become a slave state against pop. sovereginty) making him unpopular with the south. The debates eventually impeded Douglas from winning the Election of 1860, while helping Lincoln to win, and greatly impact the outcome of the civil war. -
lincoln elected president
When Lincoln is elected president, it results in the secession of South Carolina. South Carolina is soon followed by other Southern States, creating the Confederacy. Lincoln's election was significant because it resulted in the formation of the confederacy, the opposing side of the civil war regarding th Union. -
Crittenden compromise proposal
Introduced by John Crittenden. It offered a constituitional amendment to recognize slavery south of the mason dixon line, compensation of fugitive slaves to owners, and noninterference with existing slavery. Republicans were against it. This was one last attempt to prevent the Civil War. -
federal arsenal moved to fort sumter
When Lincoln took office, Sumter was one of the two forts in the South still under Union control, which the Confederacy had claimed as their own in December. Lincoln attempted to send supplies to reinforce the fort, resulting in the bombing of it by the Confederacy and surrender of the Union. This was the first engagement of the Civil war. -
battle of bull run
One of few battles in which Confederate soldiers outnumbered Union ones. It was the first major civil war battle and was another Confederate victory. This battle gave Confederate commander Stonewall Jackson his name, and forced the Union to take the war more seriously, as it enlisted 500,000 troops after this battle. -
Battles of Fort Henry and Fort Donaldson
these battles happened in the same month 10 miles apart from eachother. The Confederate’s Fort Henry fell on Feb 5th, General Ulysses S. Grant‘s troops. The Confederate troops evacuated Fort Henry and moved to Fort Donelson 10 miles away, and Grant’s troops followed them. The Union could now head south through Tennessee. This was significant because it was the Union's first victory and beneficial general. -
battle of new orleans
The Capture of New Orleans by Union forces was a major turning point in the war. New Orleans was the Confederacy’s largest city, and, given its location at the mouth of the Mississippi River, a trading location with a powerful and economical port. -
battle of antietam
The Battle of Antietam was the first battle of the war to take place on Northern soil. It was the the bloodiest day in the American Civil War, so far. In fact, more Americans were killed on this day than on any other day in American military history at this point.