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Lincoln is elected president
Lincoln's election thus served as the main catalyst of the American Civil War. This marked the first time ever that a Republican was elected president. Presidential Election results map. -
Confederate States of America is formed
The secession of South Carolina was followed by the secession of six more states Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas–and the threat of secession by four more Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
the Confederate States of America attacked the United States military garrison at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. Less than two days later, the fort surrendered. No one was killed. The battle, however, started the Civil War, the bloodiest conflict in American history. -
President Lincoln declares a blockade of Southern ports
President Abraham Lincoln sided with Seward and proclaimed the blockade on April 19. Lincoln extended the blockade to include North Carolina and Virginia on April 27. By July of 1861, the Union Navy had established blockades of all the major southern ports. -
First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas)
The First Battle of Bull Run, also known as the Battle of First Manassas, was the first major battle of the American Civil War. The battle was fought on July 21, 1861, in Prince William County, Virginia, just north of the city of Manassas and about thirty miles west-southwest of Washington, D.C.