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United States Civil War
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Pemberton Mill Collapses
The Pemberton Mill collapses in Massachusetts and 145 workers are killed. -
The Cooper Union Speech
President Lincoln, while campaigning for president gives this speech about the negativities of slavery.It was extrememly successful in winning him supporters. -
The Pony Express
The Pony Express is a mail system used to communicate throughout the US, where mail is delivered by horseback, This was the fasteset way of communication before the telegraph was invented. -
The Constitutional Union Party
A group of pople meet in Baltimore, Maryland and decide to create a new political party, the Constitutional Union Party. They nominate John Bell for president. -
Licoln Becomes a Candidate
President Lincoln is officailly a presidential cadidate, running against Joh Brekenride, John Bell, and Stephen Douglas. -
The 8th Census
The 8th United States Census is conducted. There were 31,443,321 people living in the 33 US states at the time. -
Grace Bedell's Letter to Lincoln
An 11 year old girl named Grace Bedell writes a letter to President Lincoln telling him that he would look good with a beard. From this point on Lincoln gros out a beard and it becomes an iconic part of his look. -
Abraham Lincoln Wins Presidential Election
Abraham Lincoln is elected as the 16th president of the United States. He is a republican and makes it known that he is against slavery. The Southern states are unhappy that Lincoln won the election which results in rising tension between the North and South. -
The Crittenden Compromise
Snator John Crittenden from Kentucky proposes a plan to stop the nearing Civil War before it beegins. His plan included several amendments to The Constitution to satisfy the southern states, but his attempt obviously fails. -
South Carolina Secedes from the Union
South Carolina is the first state to secede from the Union , which sparks a movement of several other states leaving within the following weeks. -
Mississippi Secedes from the Union
The second state to secede from the Union, Mississippi follows South Carolina's lead. -
Kansas is Admitted to the Union
Kansas is ofically admittted to the Union as a free state. -
The Creation of the Confederate States of America
The 7 seceded states meet in Montgomery, Alabama and officially decide that they will come together to form the Confederate States of America. -
Jefferson Davis Appointed President
Jefferson Davis is appointed the first and only President of the newly formed Confederate States of America. -
Lincoln's Inauguration
President Lincoln is officially sworn into office as the 16th President of the United States of America in Washington D.C. -
Fort Sumter- Confederates
The Confederates attact Fort Sumter in South Carolina, where Union forces are. The South wants the Union to give up the fort because it is their property and they are no longer part of the Union, but the Union Army resists. Robert Anderson, the commander at the fort, asks Lincoln for help but Lincoln only sends food for the troops. Lincoln tried to prevent war, but the Confederates fired on the fort forcing the Union troops to retreat and beginning the Civil War. -
Lincoln Prepares Troops
Lincoln officicially regogizes the Southern rebellion and wants 75,000 volunteers of local militia to help stop the rebellion. -
Habeus Corpus Suspended
President Lincoln Suspends the Writ of Habeus Corpus. Now,people are allowed to be inprisoned wothout trial. This is done to make it easier for the Union to take Confederate prisoners. -
Battle of Bull Run- Confederates
Also known as the first Battle of Manassas, took place in Virginia. This was the first major battle of the Civil War. It was during this battle that Thomas Jackson was given the nickname "Stonewall" Jackson which would stick with him from then on. The Union Army marched to attack the Confederates, but were forced back to Washington D.C. At this point both sides realized that the war would not end as quikly as they previously believed it would. -
The Battle of Antientam- Union
This battle is known best for being the bloodiest single day battle of the Civil War and took place in Maryland. During this battle the Union lost about 3,000 soldiers and the Confederates lost about 2,500. In that single day, 3 Union Generals and 3 Confederate Generals were killed. -
The USS Monitor
The famous Ironclad Warship the Uss Monitor goes into use, It fights for the North. -
The Surrender of Fort Henry
The Confederates surrendered Fort Henry in Tenessee to the Union. This allowed the Union Army to gain a signifiacant amount of control over the Mississippi River. -
The Unions First Victory
Grant leads the union Army in Capturing Fort Henry, Tennessee. This is the Union's first victory of the war. -
The Surrender Of Fort Donelson
The Confederates Surrender Fort Donelson in Tenessee to the Union, which gives them full control of the Mississippi River. This will later be a valuable assett which helps the Union to sucessfully carry out the Anaconda Plan. This was also where Ulysses S. Grant was given the nickname "Unconditional Surrender." -
The Fugitive Slave Act is Annulled
The Union decides it will no longer allow run away salves to be returned to the south. This hurts the Southern economy and culture as well as is a step towards the emancipation of slaves. -
The Balle of Shiloh- Union
This was the first major battle that occurred in Tenessee. Confederate General Albert Johnston is killed, which is a hard hit to the South because he was one of their best generals. -
New Orleans is Captured by the Union
David F. Farragut leads the Union forces in capturing the southern port and city of New Orleans, Louisianna. -
The Department of Agriculture is Created
Presient Lincoln signs a bill which creates the Bureau of Agriculture, now known as the Department of Agriculture. -
The Pacific Railway Act
President Lincoln Signs a bill which lets the construction of the first transcontinential railroad begin. The Northern Railway is crucial to the war because more railroads means the Union can communicate, send goods, and travel faster to more places than the south could. -
Second Battle of Bull Run- Confederates
This battle is fought on the same turf as the First Battle of Bull Run, hence its name. The Union Army was defeated and forced to retreat to Washington D.C. -
McClellan is Fired
President Lincoln removed George McClellan from the position of Commander of the Union Army, replacing him with Ulysses S. Grant. He does this becuse McClellan acts too slowly and is too indecisive. -
The Battle of Chancellorsville- Confederates
It was during this battle that Stonewall Jackson was wounded by gunshot and would lose his arm, dying a week later. Winning this battle is considered to be one of Robert E. Lees gretest accomplishments and served as a major morale boost for the South. -
Conscription begins in the North
More troops are needed to fight the war and there are not enough volunteers. The Union government decides it is necessary to begin to draft soldiers to fight the Civil War. -
The Emancipation Proclamation
On this day all slaves officially were freed from bondage, whether they are in the Union or the Confederacy. This is very controversial but a day of celebreation for slaves and abolitionists. -
The Battle of Gettysburg- Union
This is officially the bloodiest battle of the war. During this 3 day battle in Pennsylvania, the Union suffered arounf 3,000 fatalities and the Confederates about 4,000. 33,000 soldiers were wounded and 10,000 went missing.In the battle, roughly one in every three men died. -
Seige of Vicksburg- Union
Vicksburg, Missouri was surrended to the Union Army.The Union now has complete control of the Mississippi, splitting the south in half and aiding in the success of the Anaconda Plan. -
Massachusett's 54th Colored Infantry
Union troops attact Charlston,South Carolina. This is the first time African American Soldiers fought in a Civil War Battle. -
Battle of Chickamauga
This battle took plavce in Georgia. The Union Army was defeated by the Confederates and forced to retreat back to Tennesee. -
South Carolina Torpedo Attack
In Charlston Harbor, South Carolina sits the New Ironsides, a Union ship being used to blockade the southern port. The Confederate Ship, the David shoots a torpedo at the ship, causing damage but not sinking it. The captain of the David was captured by the Union. -
Gettysburg Address
President Lincoln delivers his famous speech, the Gettysburg Address, at the dedication ceremony of a new cemetary, the Soldiers' National Cemetary.The Cemetary and Ceremony take place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. -
The Proclamation of Amnesty
President Lincoln, in an attempt to end the fighting tearing apart the country releases the Proclamation of Amnesty. This required Confederates to take an oath of loyalty to the Union. If they do, they will be completely forgiven and not punished for any actions they took against the Union. -
Union Soldiers Escape from Libby Prison
109 Union prisoners of war dig a hole freeing them from the prison they are being held in. 50 dd not make it back to the Union Amry but the other 59 escpaed soldiers did. -
Hunley
The Confederate submarine, Hunley, successfully shoots torpedoes at the enemy ship Union ship Housatonic, sinking it. this is the first time a submarine has ever successfully sank a war ship. -
Andersonville Prison Opens
Officially, the name of this prison camp was Camp Sumter Prison Camp. The opening of this prison camp marks a significant and memorable part of the war because of the terrible conditions it became known for and the number of Union soldiers who died while in custody. -
Grant becomes Lieutenant General
President Lincoln appoints Ulysses S. Grant as the leader of the entire Union Army. -
Fort Pillow, Tennessee is Captured- Confederates
Confederate troops lead a brutal massacre of Union troops, mostly consisting of African American Soldiers. 574 Union soldiers died that day. -
The Coinage Act
This act required that all US currency minted from that point forward have the phrase "In God We Trust" printed on it. -
Battle of Mobile Bay- Union
David Farragut leads a naval attack on the Confederate ships surrounding Mobile Bay. The result was a Union victory and they acquired the port. -
The Union gains Atlanta, Georgia
The Confederates deseret Atlanta, Georgia and under the instruction of William Tecumsah Serman, Union troops take over the terretory. -
Lincoln is Re-elected
President Lincoln wins his second term in office as President of the United States. -
The March to the Sea
General Sherman leads the Union troops in burning the city of Atlanta, Georgia, and after marching to the sea. -
President Lincoln is Inaugurated
President Lincoln oficially takes office for his second term as president. -
The Union acquires Richmond and Petersburg
The Confederates desert Richmond and Petersburg Virginia and move west. Union forces take over. -
The Battle of Sailor's Creek- Union
The Union troops corner one third of the Confederate Army and kill all of them. This is a devastating blow to The South. -
The Confederates Surrender
The Confederates surender at Appomattox Court House. Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant make the deal. -
President Lincoln is Assassinated
President Lincoln is shot and killed by John Wilkes Booth in Ford's Theatre, Washington DC only 5 days after the surrender of the Confederacy. -
President Johnson Takes Office
Andrew Johnson, President Lincoln's Vice President, takes on the role of President after Lincoln's assassination. He will remain president until 1869. -
John Wilkes Booth is Killed
Booth is shot in the neck and paralyzed. 3 hours later he died. His last words were "Tell mother I did it for my country." The conspirators who helped him in the assasssination were hanged. -
Jefferson Davis is Captured
Davis is captured by Union soldiers. He was by Irwinville, Georgia. -
The Grand Review of the Armies
This is a parade that takes place celebrating the end of the Civil War. The Union Army parades down Pennsylvania Avenue. -
Juneteenth
This holiday began in Texas. Its purpose is to commemorate the emancipation of slaves. -
Founding of the Ku Klux Klan
The Ku Klux Klan is founded in Pulaski, Tennessee. -
Southern States Declare Peace with The United States
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia oficially say that there is no longer any hostility between them and the United States. -
Fords Theatre becomes National Property
The US government decides to buy Ford's Theatre from its owner for 100,000 dollars and makes it a museum. -
The Civil Rigts Act
This gives more rights to freed slaves to help them gain equality in society after years of being looked down on. -
Cholera Comes to the US
The first case of Cholera in the US is diagnosed in New York. It is brought by a foreigner coming to the country -
The Memphis Race Riot
White American Citizens including Police decide to murder 46 African Americans. During the riot 90 homes, schools, and churches belonging to black citizens were also destroyed. -
The First Nickels are Minted
This new form of currency replaces the previous half dime. -
Tennessee is Readmitted to the Union
Tennessee is the first state to become part of the union again after the Civil War. It takes a year after the end of the war for this proccess to finally begin. -
General of the Army
Congress creates the possition General of the Army, in charge of the entire United States ilitary. Ulysses S. Grant is promoted from Lieutenant General to this new position. -
Swing Around the Circle
Presient Andrew Johnson givea speeches throughout the United States over a 2 month span. His goal is to gain supporters of reconstruction, -
Philadelphia Shipyard Fire
There is a fire in a shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Several Civil War ships are completely destoryed. -
John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge
At the time this was the longest suspension bridge in the world. It went from Cincinatti, Ohio to Covington, Kentucky. -
The First African Ameicans Vote
African American Citizens obtain the right to vote in Washington D.C. -
Nebraska becomes a State
Nebraska is admitted to the United States as the 37th state. -
The First Reconstruction Act
This split the southern states into 5 military districts while were supervised by northern generals and required all states to ratify the 14th Amendment, which gave equal rights to African American citizens. Southern states were also required to rewrite their constitutions. -
The Second Reconstruction Act
This required everey voter to recite a registration oath, which forced them to promise that they would obey US law and the Constitution. It also changed the way votes were counted, making it easier for the US to ratify new amendments to the Constitution. -
Alaska Becomes US Property
Russia sells Alaska to the United States. -
The Kidder Massacre
A group of Sioux ans Cheyenne indians massacre Second Lieutenatn Lyman Kidder as well as several other Americans. -
The First Elevated Railroad
The first Elevated Rialroad opens inNnew York. It runs over roadways, suspended in the air by concrete stantions. -
First Dental School Opens
Harvard School of Dental Medicaine is established. It becomes the first dentistry school in the United States. -
The Thrid Reconstruction Act
This gave more power to the 5 Northern General in cahrge of the Southern Military Districts. It gave the generals the power to remove anyone they pleased from office if they felt they were against the Union or Reconstruction.
