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Harper's Ferry
This was John Brown's famous raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859 in which he and his followers tried, in vain, to forment slave rebellion throughout the Soth. -
Lincoln's First Election
On this date Lincoln was elected for the first time as the 16th President of the United States. His election triggered the sucession of seven states, with four more following after he was inaugurated. -
South Secedes
South Carolina was voted to be removed from the Union; following it six other states from the lower south seceded. These secessions led to the creation of a new nation known as the Confederate States of America -
Confederate States of America established
This was the government established by the 11 states which seceded from the Union. They kept many of the same democratic values of the North but did make sure to keep slavery. -
First Income Tax
The congress raised rates on incomes and the printing of paper currency or greenbacks (backed on faith). This act was used to finance the war. It was met with much resistance. -
Second Confiscation Act
Declared the freedom of slaves aiding or supporting the insurrection. Also authorized the president to employ African Americans. -
First Battle of Bull Run
In this battle McDowell almost succeeded in dispersing the Confederate forces, but the Southerners fought back. -
First Confiscation Act
Declared that all slaves used for "insurrectiionary" purposes (in support of Confederate military purposes wpuld be considered freed. In 1862 slavery was abolished in western territory. -
Trent Affair
Two Confederate diplomats had escaped and gotten aboard an English steamer called the Trent. Charles Wilkes, the commander of an American frigate,arrested the diplomats. The Brithish government demanded the diplomats back. Wilkes knowing that he violated maritime law gave the prisoners back -
Monitor v. Merrimac
Monitor vs. Merrimack was the first engagement ever between two iron-clad naval vessels. -
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Shiloh
Confederate forces suprised union troops & drove them across the Tennesee river; union got backup and won the battle but it was one of the most bloody battles in the civil war -
Capture of New Orleans
This was the date when Union Troops took over New Orleans. The capture was a massive blow to the Confederacy. -
The Morrill Land Grand Act
This act transferred a substantial amount of public acreage to the state governments, they would then sell the land and use the proceeds for improving public education. This act led to the creation of many new state colleges. -
Antietam
Battle in Maryland that ended Lee's first invasion of the North. Known for being the bloodiest day in the war, and led to the Emancipation Proclamation -
Writ of Habeas Corpus suspended
Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus (saying that people arrested would go in fornt of the court to see if there is enough evidence to hold them for trial). There was invasion on the Union so Lincoln suspened the act to give the authority to the military authorities to arrest anyone who is suspected of being disloyal. -
Emancipation Proclamation
This act to free all the slaves apart of the Confederacy except those under Union control. The Proclamation did not apply to the border slave states. -
National Draft Law instated
The excitement of the war had gone away and no one was volunteering to serve, therefore the Congress was forced to pass a national draft law. Basically all young adult males were eligible, but you could get out of it by hiring to serve for you. -
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Vicksburg
battle for control of mississippi river. Union's goal to split Confederacy and restore free commerce to NW An attempt to take Vicksburg, Miss by water and from N. failed. Grant decided to take it from South and opened siege; Confederate forces unable to unite, and after about six weeks Vicksburg's defenders surrendered on July 4, 1863 -
Capture of Atlanta
Union forces, under Sherman, defeated Confederate forces defending the city. They proceeded to burn the whole city, regardless if the infasctructure was involved militarily. This began Shermans March to the Sea. -
Lincoln's Re-election
Lincoln won this time with overwhelming support for his policies. His re-election solidified the fact that there would be no negotiated end to the war. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
From this date until December 21, 1864, Sherman marched his troops over 200 miles from Atlanta to Savannah. His goal was to frighten the Georgian people into abondoning the Confederacy. While he didn't burn all the places he came across there was some looting. -
Capture of Richmond
After ten months of trying to capture the Confederate capital, General Grant is finally able to do it. This is a sure sign to the Union that the Confederacy is weak and nearing it's last leg. -
Surrender at Appomattox
General Lee realized there was little hope, and that he may have to surrender his army to General Grant. They two decided to meet at Appomattox Courthouse. This was the signal that the war was close to an end. -
Lincoln's Assassination
Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth, an actor and Confederate supporter, on the night of April 14, 1865 in Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C. It came just days after Lee surrendered at the Appottomax Courthouse. Lincoln would die in the morning hours of the 15th of April, 1865. -
13th Amendment
This Amendment abolished slavery everywhere else that it had not been abolished in yet. Many white ex-slaveowners were not okay with this