-
Lincoln wins election
Abraham Lincoln was running against John C. Breckinridge for president. Lincoln won every free state except for New Jersey. -
Eleven states form the Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America has the basic ideas of the United States. For one example, the president serves one six year term instead of a possible two four year term. -
The first Battle of Bull Run takes place
This was the first battle of the Civil war. This battle was near Washington D,C, President Lincoln only expected this to be a skirmish, instead the Confederates came and won the battle. One thing they did that helped them win was the Rebel Yell. This yell was just a lot of random yelling and screeming. This was used through out the war. -
The Seven Days Battles and the Battle of Antietam occur
During the spring of 1862 General Lee attacked General McClellan many times. These attacks were called the Battle of Seven Day. In the fall of that year, The two armies clashed at Antietam. This was the bloodiest day of the war. There were more than 23,000 casualties. -
Ironclads Monitor and Virginia clash in a sea battle.
The definition of an ironclad ship is a iron plated boat that is steam powered. The Confederates were the first people to make an iron plated ship. The Virginia went to battle against two wooden ships and sunk both. Later the Union created the Monitor to go against the Virginia. The soon battled, they shot at each other for hours. Hours later the Monitor was forced to leave.
Found the Monitor -
Lincoln signs the Emancipation proclamation
This document made slaves in slave states free. Lincoln thought that if the slaves in the south heard this they would refuse to work. He also thought that by doing this, the north would accept the abolishment and that it would bring a new energy to the war effort. -
Lincoln gives the Gettysburg Address
Lincoln was invited to the ceremony at Gettysburg. This ceremony was held to honor and remember the men that gave their lifes there. The president gave a two minute speech about the men there. Many were very upset about this, the man that spoke before Lincoln spoke for hours. What they did not know was that this speech would become one of the most famous speeches in American history. -
Sherman begins his "march to the sea"
In the Deep South, General Sherman took control of many Union forces. Sherman believed in total war. Total war is were the troops would destroy homes, farms, buildings, and other supplies. Sherman took his troops on a 60 mile march across Georgia. His men were well fed and had a lot of supplies from looting the villages. Sherman's goal was to "make Georgia howl!" -
Lee surrenders to Grant at Appomattox Court House, the Civil War ends
After the battle at Appomattox Court House, Lee surrendered to Grant. Grants terms were very generous, he allowed the Confederates to keep their horses to return home. With this, the Civil war is over. -
The Thirteenth Amendment ends slavery
The Thirteenth Amendment is where all the slaves are made free. In December 1865, the states loyal to the Union officially ratified the amendment making slavery abolished in every state. -
Abraham Lincoln is assassinated
By the end of the war, many Americans approved how President Lincoln handled the war. Although some were very upset still, one being John Wilkes Booth. Five days later, on April 14th, Lincoln and his wife went to a play. With much planning, Booth shot the President in the back of the head. The President died several hours later. Once they figured out who had done it, they placed a $100,000 reward on Booth's head. -
Civil Rights act of 1866 is passed
This act gave rights to all African Americans to become citizens. It also protected all rights for the African Americans. -
Reconstruction Act of 1867 is passed
This act outlined the way the southern states had to be readmitted to the Union. One way was to let military groups govern each region until new state constitutions were put in place, Only male African Americans and white men who supported the republicans were allowed to register to vote. -
Fourteenth Amendment is ratified
This Amendment was created to make sure that the Supreme Court would not over rule the Civil Rights Act of 1866. The Fourteenth Amendment is the same thing as the Civil Rights Act; it protects the African Americans rights. -
Andrew Johnson is impeached and acquitted
The Congress passed an act that made it illegal for the president to fire one of his cabinet members without the Senate's approval. President Johnson fired his Secretary of War because of political differences. The House voted to impeach Johnson, but one vote saved President Johnson. Johnson finished his term, but did not get re-elected. -
Fifteenth Amendment is ratified
This is an add on to the Fourteenth Amendment. This protects the voting rights for the African Americans.
