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The Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was centered around the issue of slavery and around westward expansion. The residents of the Missouri Territory asked Congress for admission to the Union with a constitution permitting slavery, This admission would give slaveholding states a two-voting majority, and would thrust slavery westward and northward. It prohibited slavery in the former Louisiana Territory, all except within the Missouri boundaries. -
Nat Turner's Slave Insurrection
Turner and other enslaved African Americans slaughtered 60 whites of all ages and sexes. In return, whites killed slaves all over the region, totaling in bout 200 slaves. -
The Compromise of 1850
A series of five bills passed to reach a decision about the territories gained during the Mexican-American War. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel, which depicted the inhumane reality of slavery and its evil effects on slaveholders critized racism and slavery. Over a million copies were sold by mid-1953. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This act created Kansas and Nebraska territories, and repealed the MIssouri Compromise of 1850. It increased hopes of cohorts to use popular sovereignity to their advantage. -
Bleeding Kansas
During elections, thousands of pro-slavery Missourians murdered and intimidated free state settlers. John Brown, a radical abolitionist murdered five pro-slavery settlers along with a band of followers. -
Dred Scott vs. Sandford Supreme Court Case
Dred Scott sued for freedom along with his wife. THe decision came to be that African Americans could not be American citizens and the federal government had no power to regulate slavery. This proved that the founders never intended for blacks to become citizens of the U.S. -
Abraham Lincoln elected President
Lincoln is elected President of the U.S., but will face problems with a divded nation. He promises that only good will come and intends to abolish slavery. -
South Carolina Secedes
On the news of Lincoln's election, South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the Union. -
Confederate Constitution Signed
The Constitution of the Confederate States of America is signed in Montgomery, Alabama. The Confederacy is now formed by 7 states -
Fort Sumter
The Battle of Fort Sumter took place from April 12-14, 1861 near Charleston County. General Anderson and General Beauregard fought on opposing sides during this battle, Following the secession by seven Southern states, this opening battle demanded that the US Army abandon its facilities in Charleston Harbor. The Condederates won this battle, This shocked the Union and boosted the South's confidence. -
1st Battle of Bull Run
This battle took place near Manassas Junction, Virginia. General McDowell headed the North and General Beauregard led the South. This attempt to crush the south by the northern troops backfired and the Confederacy scored the victory. Union troops fleed back to Washington in disarray, and this battle showed that the war would be a long and bloody one. The North lost a quick win to the war and both armies would need to train harder. General McDowell was replaced by General McClellan. -
Antietam
This battle is the bloodiest day in the history of the United States. 26,000 men are either killed, wounded or missing on both sides. Even though the battle is declared as a draw, it stops General Robert E. Lee's invasion of Maryland, making him retreat back to Virginia. -
Fredericksburg
The Union army suffers a horrible defeat under General Burnside in Virginia. Fourteen individual assaults on an entrenched position in the Confederacy costs 13,000 casualties to the Union -
Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. It freed all slaves in territory captured by the Union army, and ordered the enlistment of black soldiers. From this point on, the Civil War is being fought over slavery. -
Battle of Vicksburg
The Battle of Vicksburg ended on July 4, 1863 with a Confederate surreneder. This gave up the lastmajor fortification on the Mississippi River in Southern hands. -
Battle of Gettysburg
This battle was the fourth Confederacy withdrawal, and they suffered almost 4,000 casualties and 23,000 missing or wounded. The Union suffered 23,000 deaths. Following this battle, President Lincoln gave the famous Gettysburg Address. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
Major General William Sherman marched his troops from Georgia to South Carolina. This 50-60 mile gap, more than 200 miles was used to burn down and destroy the South. Total War occured. -
Appomattox Court House Surrender
Generel Lee of the Confederate Army was short of rations and had little men left. He surrendered Richmond and Petersburg to the Union. This marked the end of the Civil War. -
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
President LIncoln was shot and assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a production at the Ford Theatre in D.C.
This would change the course of reconstruction and and American history forever.
