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Mexican Cession/ Compromise of 1850
This cession gave immense amounts of land in the West that made up 6 new territories. The Compromise of 1850 decided if these territories would allow slavery or be free states. The compromised ignited growing differences between the North and South, which led to war. -
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
This was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, a white woman impersonating a black slave. It highlighted the worse parts of slavery. This solidified the antislavery movement in the North, which contributed to the catalysts of the Civil War. -
Lincoln vs. Douglas Debates
Lincoln and Douglas had 7 debates on current issues. The Freeport Doctrine demanded Douglas to decide his views on controversial issues like the fact that states couldn’t be forced into becoming slave states against their will. This caused the South not to like him. These debates prevented him from winning presidency in 1860. It helped Lincoln win which helped the outcome of the Civil War. -
Lincoln is elected
Lincoln is elected for president of the United States. In response, Southern Carolina secedes. This begins the secession of other Southern States. All the secessions led to the formation of the Confederacy. This was the competitor side to the Union. -
Crittenden Compromise
John Crittenden introduced this. He suggested a constitution amendment to recognize the allowance of slavery south the Mason Dixon Line. And also returning of slaves to owners, and no interference with existing slavery in the states. The republicans hated this. This was the last and final try to prevent the inevitable Civil War from taking off. -
Federal Arsenal gets moved to Fort Sumter
When Lincoln’s presidency came into action, Sumter was a fort in the South that still was controlled by the Union. But, the Confederates claimed this as their own in December. Lincoln sent supplies to reinforce the fort, getting in bombed by the Confederates leading to the surrender of the Union. This was the first event of the Civil War. -
Battle of Bull Run
The Confederates outnumbered the Union. This was the first major battle of the Civil War and resulted in a Confederate victory once again. Stonewall Jackson earned his name. He forced the Union to get the idea that this war was serious. -
Battle of Fort Henry
Battle of Fort HenryFebruary 16, 1862The Confederate’s Fort Henry fell on February 5th. The Confederates evacuated Fort Henry and moved to Fort Donelson, which was close. Grants troop followed their fleet. The Union was now able to go through Tennessee towards the south. Significance is that it was the Union’s first victory. -
Battle of New Orleans
The Union captured New Orleans and this was a major turning point in the war. This was the largest city of the Confederacy, obviously significant. It was located at the mouth of the Mississippi River, and this was a powerful trading location with an economical port. -
Battle of Antietam
This was the first battle on Northern soil. It is known to be the bloodiest of the Civil War, so many lives were lost. More lives were ended here than ever. This is significant because the Northerners were more confident because they were fighting on their own territory.