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Compromise of 1850
The compromise of 1850 was proposed by Henry Clay. It had 5 sections:
CA enters as a free state NM-TX border dispute settled in favor of NM All other lands gained from Mexico will use popular sovereighnty to decide the issue of slavery Slave trade banned from DC Stronger Fugitive Slave Law -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
written by Harriet Beecher Stowe
helped fuel the abolitionist cause
may have sparked the war to start
"anti-slavery tool"
Southerners claimed that the book was false, and some wrote a book against it -
Bleeding Kansas
series of political confrontations
decided whether Kansas was free or slave
Between the North and South
in the eyes of the president it was a slave state
ended in 1861 -
Dred Scott Decision
African Americans, whether elslaved or free, could not be American citizens and therefore had no standing to sue in federal court
Dred Scott was taken by owners to free states & territories and he attemted to sue for freedom
Chief Justice Roger B Taney denied Scott's request in a 7-2 decision -
Lincoln Douglas Debates
series of debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas
held in 7 of the 9 Illinois districts
reduced Lincoln's chance of winning the south
talked about slavery and free/slave states -
Raid on Harper's Ferry
Ended: October 18, 1859
John Brown (abolitionist) raided an army's weponry in Harper's Ferry
was trying to initiate an armed slave revolt
defeated by the U.S. marines
raid was successful until the army found out and put a stop to it
He was tried for treason and murder and was hung -
Election of 1860
There were 4 candidates:
John Bell of the Constitutional Union
Abraham Lincoln of the Rebublican Party
John C. Breckinridge of the Democratic Party
Stephen A. Douglas of the Democratic Party
the Democratic Party was split into two parts: North and South. The North chose Stephen A. Douglas and the South chose John C. Brekenridge
Lincoln won and a few weeks later South Carolina seceded from the Union -
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina secedes from the Union. -
Mississippi Secedes
Mississippi secedes from the union. -
Florida Secedes
Florida secedes from the union. -
Alabama Secedes
Alabama secedes from the Union. -
Georgia Secedes
Georgia secedes from the union. -
Louisiana Secedes
Louisiana secedes from the union. -
Texas Secedes
Texas secedes from the union. -
Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America are formed. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
Location: Charleston Harbor, SC
Southern forces were attempting to seize as many Union Forts in the North as possible. Lincoln told the Southern leaders that the North wouldn't fire unless fired upon first by the South. Southern forces fired!! The War had begun. -
First Battle of Bull Run (Battle of Manassas Junction)
Location: Bull Run River (Manassas Junction)
Northern forces marched from Washington DC expecting a quick victory. After initially pushing the Southern forces back, Southern forces charged at the Union soldiers with their "Rebel Yell", forcing the Northern soldiers to retreat. Confederate Victory. -
Monitor v.s. Merrimack (Battle of Hampton Roads)
Location: Norfolk, VA (Hampton Roads)
The South had covered an abandoned Northern Ship with iron in an effort to break the Union blockade. The North countered with their own ironclad. The ships fought to a draw, but it is considered a Union victory. They kept the South in the harbor. -
Battle of Shiloh (Battle at Pittsburgh Landing)
Location: Corinth, MS/Shiloh, TN
Led by general Ulysses S. Grant, the North defeated the South in the bloodiest 2-day battle of the Civil War. Grant earned the reputation as a "butcher" of men. Congress wanted him removed but Lincoln responded, "I can't spare this man; he fights." Union Victory -
Capture of New Orleans
Location: New Orleans, LA
Union forces led by Admiral David G Farragut surprised the South capturing New Orleans. The city was a major trade city of the South and its capture meant less supplies for Confederate soldiers. Union Victory -
Battle of Antietam (Battle of Sharpsburg)
Location: Antietam Creek MD
Due to General McClellan's hesitation the North was attacked by Lee's forces. The North was able to hold off the South in the bloodiest single day battle of the war. The hesitation by McClellan caused Lincoln to replace him. Also convinced Lincoln to write/issue the Emancipation Proclamation. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Location: Washington D.C.
Lincoln understood that taking a stand against slavery would make Britain and France less likely to aid the South. The Emancipation Proclamation freed all slaves within any state in rebellion against the United States. This allowed African-Americans to join the military and led to the 13th amendment. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
The campaign began with Sherman's troops leaving the captured city of Atlanta Georgia on November 15 and ended with the capture of the Port of Savannah on December 21. His forces destroyed military targets as well as industry, infrastructure, and civilian property. They also disrupted the Confederate economy and transportation networks. -
Surrender at Appomattox
Location: Appomattox Court House, Virginia
Details: Following a long siege on Petersburg, Virginia, Grant was finally able to break Southern lines. On April 12, 1865 Union forces captured the Confederate capitol of Richmond. Lee had to retreat but was cut off. He had to surrender. The terms of surrender were three days worth of food, and they could keep their horses or mules. However, they had to give up their rifles to the North. -
Lincoln's Assassination
Location: Ford's Theater, Washington D.C.
Details: John Wilkes Booth was a Southern sympathizer who believed assassinating Lincoln would help the South. He came up behind Lincoln and shot him once in the head. Booth fled the theater, only to be cornered 11 days later in a barn. Booth was shot and killed when he came out. Lincoln died the next day on April 15, 1865.
