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Republican Party is formed
The Republican Party was founded in 1854 by anti-slavery activists who opposed the Kansas–Nebraska Act, which allowed for the potential extension of slavery to the western territories. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act passed
The Kansas-Nebraska Act, passed in 1854, created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, and most importantly, repealed the Missouri Compromise. -
South Carolina votes to secede from the United States
South Carolina separated from the US and this influenced other southern states to do the same. -
Abraham Lincoln elected president
He was the president who was in office during the civil war. -
Confederate forces fire on Fort Sumter
There were no casualties during this battle except for a misfire -
Lincoln suspends habeas corpus
The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, which guarantees the right to challenge unlawful detention -
First battle of Bull Run is fought
This battle was only 30 miles away from Washington -
Jefferson Davis elected president of the Confederacy
Jefferson Davis became the president of the southern states that seceded from the Union. -
The Merrimac and the Monitor fight of the Virginia coast
The Battle of Monitor vs. Merrimack, fought on March 8-9, 1862, resulted in a draw. Neither the Union's USS Monitor nor the Confederate CSS Virginia (formerly the USS Merrimack) could destroy the other. -
Battle of Shiloh
The Union forces won the Battle of Shiloh -
Robert E. Lee is named commander of the Army of Northern Virginia
He took command after General Joseph E. Johnston was wounded in the Battle of Seven Pines. Lee would continue to lead the army throughout the war, including in battles like Seven Days Battles, Second Battle of Bull Run, and Antietam. -
Battle of Antietam
It was the bloodiest battle in Maryland -
Emancipation Proclamation is announced
This caused all slaves to be free -
Battle of Fredericksburg
Battle that took place in Virginia -
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville was important because it was a major Confederate victory led by General Robert E. Lee, despite facing a larger Union army. -
Battle of Gettysburg
A battle that took place during the American civil war. -
Confederates surrender at Vicksburg
Vicksburg was the last major Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River; therefore, capturing it completed the second part of the Northern strategy, the Anaconda Plan. -
Lincoln gives his Gettysburg address
He was giving it for the dedication of the soldiers. -
Atlanta is captured
General William T. Sherman's Union army took control of the city, a major loss for the Confederacy. -
Abraham Lincoln defeats George McClellan to win re-election
This showed how much they liked his leadership during the civil war. -
Lincoln gives his second inaugural address
Lincoln's speech focused on the need for healing and reconciliation after the war, rather than dwelling on victory or assigning blame. -
Robert E. Lee surrenders at Appomattox
General Lee surrendered at Appomattox because his Army of Northern Virginia was surrounded by the Union forces and facing overwhelming odds, making further resistance futile. -
President Lincoln assassination
President Lincoln was assassinated in a theater -
John Wilkes Booth is killed
This is done because he killed Lincoln