Causes of the Civil War

Election of Abraham Lincoln

Nov 6, 1860

Lincoln was elected in 1860 despite not winning the popular vote. Abraham Lincoln is elected the 16th president of the United States over a deeply divided Democratic Party, becoming the first Republican to win the presidency. Lincoln received only 40 percent of the popular vote but defeated the three other candidates:

Secession of Southern States

Dec 20, 1860

South Carolina was the first to leave the Union and form the Confederate States of America. Four months later, six other states seceded: Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana. Later Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee joined them.

Civil War

Apr 12, 1861

War between states

Civil War

Oct 18, 2016

War between the states.