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Election of 1860
Four different canidates ran from four different parties. The ballot includes: Stephen Douglas (Northern Democrats), John Breckinridge (Southern Democrats), John Bell (Constitutional Union Party), and Abraham Lincoln (Republican). Abraham Lincoln is elected due to split of the Democratic Party. -
South Carolina Secedes
As a reaction to the election of Abraham Lincoln, South Carolina seceded. A convention was formed of South Carolina legislature to vote the secession. They were the first state to seceed from the Union. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
South Carolina troops begin to open fire on Fort Sumpter. Fort Sumter is bombarded and surrenders to troops lead by General Beauregard. The battle lasts until April 13th, when Major Robert Anderson (Union) surrendered the fort and was evacuated. -
Battle of Bull Run
Confederates had failure to communicate and coordinate and Union had an over complicated plan. It is considered to be the first major land battle of the Civil War, It was a Confederate victory. -
First Battle of Manassas
Confederate forces claim a victory at the First Battle of Manassas. Confederate General Thomas J. Jackson is nicknamed "Stonewall" for his tenacity in battle. General Stonewall Jackson becomes a crucial military leader for the Confederate forces. -
Monitor and the Merrimac
First engagement between two iron-clad ships ever, The two ships battled in the Chesapeake and ended in a draw.The Monitor was fighting for the Union and the Merrimac for the Confederacy. -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam was the first battle to be fought on Northern soil. It had an inconclusive victory. Both sides suffeered great losses, yet McClellan (Union) was able to prevent Lee from further advancing into the North. -
Emancipation Proclamation
President Abraham Lincoln freed all slaves in states that had seceded. The Proclmation did not apply to the border states, as they were crucial and could risk being lost. Lincoln has no power to enforce the law because the South had constructed their own government. -
Union Draft
President Lincoln issues a federal draft act. This increases the Union's numbers for fighting against the South. The draft would later be protested. -
Battle at Vicksburg
Confederates surrender Vicksburg to Ulysses S. Grant. This secured the Union's control of the Mississippi River (a major advantage over the South). Also split Grant's army into two. -
Lincoln's Assassinaation
John Wilkes Booth assassinates President Lincoln at Ford's Theatre. Booth fled the scene and was found days later in a barn. Booth was shot by a soldier or committed suicide. -
Thirty-ninth Congress
First session since Lincoln's assassination. All southern states (except Mississippi) formally accepted presidential requirements for readmission. Led by Thaddeus Stevens. This Congress reunites the North and the South as one nation. -
Formation of the Ku Klux Klan
1865- The Ku Klux Klan is formed in Tennessee. It is one of many secret societies founded to terrorize blacks. It's methods become more viscious as whites begin to believe their way of life was being threatened. -
14th Amendment Passed
The 14th Amendment is passed by Congress. This amendment granted full citizenship to blacks. It also gave the Federal government responsibility to protect equal rights under law. -
Tenure of Office Act
Enacted by Radical Republicans. It forbade the president without removing officers without first consenting with the Sentate. It was created to prevent Johnson from removing radicals from office. -
Race Riots
Bloody riots begin in Memphis and New Orleans. This would only be the beginning of conflict due to freeing of the slaves. It would lead to groups such as the KKK, whos main purpose was to inflict fear upon freed blacks. -
First Reconstruction Act
First Reconstruction Act passes over Johnson's veto. The South is temporarily placed under military rule. States may rejoin the Union if their re-written state constitutions provide for black suffrage. -
Impeachment Crisis
Congress attempts to impeach Johnson. Johnson avoids conviction by 1 vote. -
15th Amendment Passed
15th Amendment is passed by Congress. It prohibited any state from denying a citizen the right to vote due to racem color, or previous condition of servitude. This applied to only males (Male Suffrage). -
Force Acts (KKK Acts)
Acts passed by Congress to enforce the 15th amendment (protection of individual rights for blacks being harassed by societies such as the KKK). Authorized use of Federal troops against KKK. These acts would later be declared as unconstitutional.