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Secession and Civil War
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Crittenden Compromise
Proposed by John Crittenden which advocated extending the MissouriCompromise Line to the Pacific to guarantee the protection of slavery in western territories. Lincoln and Republicans voted against it which caused the South to also reject the compromise. -
South Carolina Secedes
A convention meeting in Charelston declared unanimously that "the union now subsisting between South Carolina and other states, under the name of the 'United States of America' is hereby dissolved." They justified this by charging that a sectional party had elected a president "whose opinions and purposes are hostile to slavery." -
Seven States Seceded
South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas had all seceded from the Union. -
Confederate Convention
The seceded states met at a convention in Montgomery, Alabama, to establish themselves as the Confederate States of America. -
Lincoln's Inauguration
President Lincoln took office after already having states begin to secede. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
Shore batterise opened fire on Union ships who were sent to supply the Fort Sumter garrison. This marked the first shots of the war which the Confederates won. -
Capture of New Orleans
A Union naval fleet captured the port of New Orleans which was finally secured through the protection of the Monitor. -
Upper South Secedes
Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina seceded from the Union after Lincoln began to call troops to coerce the southern states. -
Confederates Achieve Foreign Belligerency
Commissioners sent to France and England gained belligerency rights, which meant the Confederates could claim some international rights of a nation at war. However the south wanted further foreign assistance. -
Battle of Bull Run Creek
In Manassas Junction, Virginia, Union troops under General Irvin McDowell advanced against the Confederate forces who repelled the attack by lead of Stonewall Jackson. This first major battle proved disasterous for the North. -
Emancipation Proclaimation
Lincoln issues the preliminary Emancipation Proclaimation which declared that all slaves in areas under Confederate control to be free. He also authorized the enlistment of freed slaves in the Union Army. -
Failure of King Cotton Diplomacy
The Confederacy broke off relations with Great Britain as it became clear neither England nor France would give full recognition of the Confederacy. -
Enrollment Act
Provided outright conscription of white males but permitted men of wealth to hire substitutes or pay a fee to avoid military service. -
New York Riots
A series of anti-draft riots broke out becoming one of the bloodiest domestic disorders in American history. Over 120 people died before order was restored in New York. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The battle at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania was won by the Union through great strategic position where Confederate attacks were continually repelled until General Lee was forced to retreat. -
Fall of Vicksburg
Vicksburg fell to Union General Grant at the same time Confederate General Lee withdrew. This marked a turning point in the war. -
Lincoln Wins Re-Election
The Republican Party unifed after the northern forces took occupation of the Deep South and rallied behind Lincoln to help him blow past McClellan in the 64 election. -
Thirteenth Amendment
The House approved Lincoln's proposed thirteenth amendment which outlawed involuntary servitude. -
Southern Surrender
General Lee surrendered his army at Appomattox Courthouse which proved to be the conclusion of any major battles within the nation. -
Lincoln's Assasination
John Wilkes Booth assasinated Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theater in Washington. This brought sorrow and anger throughout the North.
