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Compromise Of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was a collaboration of five laws introduced by Senator Henry Clay. The laws made California a free state, a border dispute between Texas and New Mexico was settled, the slave trade in D.C. was ended and, the fugitive slave act was amended, and Utah and New Mexico were given popular sovereignty. -
Bleeding Kansas
As a result of the Kansas Nebraska Act, fighting erupted between anti-slavery and pro-slavery groups. Bleeding Kansas was the first recorded fight; due to the death tolls it was termed 'Bleeding Kansas'. -
The Kansas Nebraska Act
The Kansas Nebraska Act was put in place to repeal the Missouri compromise which didn't allow slavery above a lateral boundary in the U.S. The Kansas Nebraska Act also allowed the people of Kansas and Nebraska to vote for themselves on whether or not the state should be free or pro-slavery. -
The Dred Scott Decision
A legal case against Dred Scott that ended in a 7-2 vote against him. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Dred Scott was not a free man even though he lived in a free state, the court ignored the Missouri compromise, declaring it "unconstitutional". The Dred Scott decision raised even more sectionalism anger and brought the country even closer to civil war. -
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates
The Lincoln-Douglas debates were a series of debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas for the United States Senate. Both were pining for the spot to represent Illinois. Abraham Lincoln was later elected. -
Harper's Ferry
Harper's Ferry is a town situated in West Virginia. It is best known for the raid on the town which was carried out by John Brown. John Brown aimed to lead an armed slave revolt and take the U.S. arsenal at Harper's Ferry. Brown was defeated by a company of U.S. Marines. -
Lincoln's Election
Abraham Lincoln became the first republican to become president due to a highly divided democratic party. Lincoln won over John C. Breckinridge, John Bell, and Stephen Douglas. -
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter was a Union associated fort located at the entrance to charleston bay. The first battle at Fort Sumter was the first shots fired of the civil war. The Union eventually surrendered the fort due to their cut off supply lines. The Union later led an attempt to retake Fort Sumter but failed. -
Period: to
American Civil War
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The Battle Of Bull Run
Bull Run was the first major land battle between the Union and Confederate armies. The battle took place in Virginia as the Union troops pushed back the Confederates but were slowly deteriorating as more Confederate reinforcements arrived. Eventually the Union was forced to retreat back to Washington. -
Battle Of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam was the first major battle to take place on Union soil. The battle is considered the most bloody single day fight in American history. 22,717 died that day near the Antietam creek. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was issued during the third year of the civil war. The Emancipation stated '"that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are and henceforth shall be free"'. However, the success of the Emancipation Proclamation still depended on Union victory. -
Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Address
The Battle of Gettysburg was fought in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This battle amounted to the most casualties lost in a single fight. The Gettysburg Address was given by Abraham Lincoln and went down as one of the most influential speeches in American history. Lincoln addressed the mass casualties of Gettysburg that occurred four months before the speech. He also reiterated many of the reasons why this war was important and they were fighting for a free nation. -
Andersonville Prison
Andersonville Prison was a prisoner of war camp used by the confederates in the last twelve months of the war. Andersonville had a reputation for being the most brutal camp with a total death toll of 13,000. When the war was done, Andersonville's commander, captain Henry Wirz was tried and executed for war crimes. -
Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse
The surrender at Appomattox courthouse marked a large milestone in the end of the civil war. After Robert E. Lee was flanked by the Union army, he surrendered his forces officially at the courthouse. -
Abraham Lincoln's Assassination
Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's theater in Washington. Wilkes snuck up behind Lincoln at shot him in the head. Lincoln then proceeded to die the next morning. -
Reconstruction
The time of reconstruction refers to after the civil war and the efforts to bring unity to the country. Mainly the disputes were between wether or not past confederates should be allowed into places of power.
