Civil War

Cali Gold Rush

1849

Thousands of people flood into california in hopes of striking it rich. This causes problems because california could not enter as a state because that would upset the balance of slave vs free states.

Comprise of 1850

1850

California enters as free territory. The fugitive slave act is amended. Slave auctions are banned in DC.

Dred Scott

1857

Dred Scott sues for his freedom. The supreme court rules he is still a slave. And now, slavery is legal throughout all of the country.

John Brown's raid

1859

John brown leads a small band of men into harper's ferry. They raid the federal armory for weapons to arm the slaves. they break in but no slaves show up. John brown is captured and hung.

formation of the union

1860

south Carolina votes to secede from the union. Many other southern states also follow their lead and secede.

Founding the Confederacy

Feb 8, 1861

The confederate states of America is founded as an independent republic. They guaranteed slavery, banned tariffs, and changed the presidents term to six years on term.

Bull Run

Jun 21, 1861

Just outside of DC. more deaths happened then all previous US battles. Many onlookers were horrified.

Battle of Shiloh

Apr 6, 1862

confederates lauch suprise attack on grant.

Batle of Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

Lee pushes into northern territory. Lee kills 22,000 men in one day. Lee retreats at the sight of so many casualties. Big victory for the north. If lee won, GB would have helped them fight the U.S.

Emancipation Proclamation

Sep 22, 1862

This proclamation said that all slaves in states of rebellion are now free after the new year starts.

Vicksburg

1863

The union fights to control the Mississippi river, Grant is put under siege, and the confederates surrender Vicksburg, cutting the confederate in two.

Sherman's march

Nov 15, 1864

Sherman and his men tear the the south all the way to Atlanta. They burn everything on the path. This shows everyone in the south what the war is causing and opens peoples eyes to the damage.

Freedman's Bureau

1865

Feed and clothed war refugeees and former enslaved people. Also gave them jobs and education. Slaves were promised 40 acres and a mule. However, congress did not enforce this.

Appomattox Courthouse

Apr 9, 1865

General Lee gets trapped in Virginia. He surrenders and this ends the civil war. The north went easy on them. They gave them food, and let them take horses back with them. The did this to try to start off with good terms.

Lincoln Assassinated

Apr 14, 1865

While at a theater, Lincoln is shot and dies of it. JWB sneaked up to Lincoln's booth and shot him in the back of the head during a loud part of the play at Ford Theater. JWB was killed a couple days later.

KKK Founded

Dec 24, 1865

To counteract Grant being elected as president, the south formed a hate group called the KKK. This group intimidated the African Americans, and made a push to gain political power.

13th amendment

Dec 31, 1865

Lincoln gets re-elected as president. He passes the 13th amendment to end slavery in the United States of America forever.

Military Reconstruction Act

1867

This divided the south into 5 military controlled districts after the war. It also gave requirements to be accepted by the union. States had to ratify the 14th, and allow African Americans to vote. States would be under military control until this happened.

14th Amendment

Jul 9, 1868

The 14th gave citizenship to any one who was born in the United states. It also gave equal protection of the law to African Americans.

15th Amendment

1870

Made it so the right to vote can be be denied based on race, color or previous enslavement.