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Lincoln Becomes President
Lincoln is elected president and the South sees this as a direct threat to slavery, even though Lincoln has announced he would not be making any changes to it. -
South Carolina Secedes
Because of Lincolns successful election, the south grows fearful that slavery would be taken from them. Because of this South Carolina secedes from the Union and many others follow shortly after. -
Jefferson Davis is appointed Confederate President
As the south begins to secede they decide to begin their own government, starting with the appointment of Jefferson Davis as their president. He would remain president throughout the whole war. -
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter, being under union control was going to be resupplied with men to continue to hold it. However Confederate president Jefferson Davis decides that he does not want this to happen, so we bombs Ft Sumter for 36 hours, luckily none lost their lives. This begins the civil war. -
First Battle of Bull Run
As the two armies face off in the first official battle of the war, citizens could be seen in their Sunday clothes ready to watch the battle. This was because everyone assumed that the Union would win this battle easily and the war would end as soon as it started. However the Confederacy wins this battle and forces Union troops to retreat coming as a surprise to all watching. -
Battle of Antietam
Known as the bloodiest single day battle during the civil war. The battle of Antietam occurs in Maryland as the South attempts an invasion on the North. In a crucial battle the union manages to win and push the South back into their territory. This now forces Lincolns hand into calling for an end to slavery. -
Emancipation Proclamation
This is the document that Lincoln would sign in order to give slaves their freedom in rebelling states. Would drastically change what people saw the war as. It would be changed from fighting for the union to fighting for the freedom of slaves. -
Siege on Vicksburg
For the Union, control over the Mississippi river was vital. Though the town of Vicksburg remained a stronghold for the Confederates. Knowing this the Union army begins a siege on Vicksburg for a month. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Known as the bloodiest battle in the entire civil war. Gettysburg was Robert E. Lees last attempt at invading the North. Knowing this could be a turning point in the war he was willing to throw whatever he needed to at the Union in order to win. During the fight a charge known as Picketts Charge was performed and resulted in mass Confederate losses. Because of this heavy defeat the Confederacy was pushing back into their lands and forced to retreat. -
The Fall of Atlanta
Before William Tecumseh Sherman makes his march to the sea, he passes through Atlanta, Georgia in which he destroys nearly a third of it in order to instill fear into the Confederate civilians and pressure them into surrendering the war. -
Shermans March to the Sea
After the Fall of Atlanta, General William Tecumseh Sherman leads his army across Georgia towards Savannah, one of the confederates last available ports. With this victory he would act as a large part of the Confederates surrender in the future. -
Appomattox Court House
As the Union troops begin to surround Lees forces, Lee is forced to surrender and eventually call and end to the war. However he has some terms he would like to be met before they fully surrender such as not convicting all confederates of treason. -
Assassination of Lincoln
After the surrender of Lee and his troops, Lincoln begins to make some statements about how he plans on reestablishing the United States. But with these changes some find themselves upset about them, one notable person, John Wilkes Booth, goes as far as murdering the president while he was attending a live performance in Ford Theater. -
The End of the Civil War
As the war comes to a close, and Lincolns assassination happens, America is left in a state of disarray, with the South in shambles and the North in need of a new president. All they can do is wait to see what the future holds for them all.