Civil War: Key Events

Compromise of 1850

Jan 29, 1850

Senator Henry Clay created resolutions to make a compromise to solve a crisis upon North and South. California was added as a free state. It created Utah and New Mexico territories. It ended slavery in Washington D.C. In addition to this act, it made it easier for Southerners to obtain fugitave slaves.

The Kansas Nebraska Act

May 30, 1854

This act was proposed by Stephan A Douglas. This allows new territories to decide whether their state would be a slave state or free. This countered the Missouri Act which borders the states of lsvaery and freedom. This was one of the starts to the civil war.

Bleeding Kansas

1855

Bleeding Kansas was the time period of The Kansas Nebraska Act. It was violence due the disagreement of what Kansas future upon slavery holds. John Brown led anti-slavery.

The Dred Scott Decision

1857

The Dred Scott Decision allowed slave owners to move west. Which they could not do because of the popular sovierty. When Dred Scott was trying to become free due to his state. The court ruled him property and was not granted freedom

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

Aug 21, 1858

It was a series of 7 debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephan A Douglas. They would argue over conflicts of slavery and more.

Harper’s Ferry

1859

John Brown organized free slaves to rebell in the mountains of Maryland and Virginia. This was the first stage in having rebellions for the slaves to be free. John Brown was captured and hung. This struck fear in slave owners of rebellions.

Fort Sumter

Apr 12, 1861

Fort Sumter is an island located in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. It is most known for being the first shots of the Civil War. Confederate's won the battle and occupied the area for nearly 40 years.

Bull Run

Jul 21, 1861

Union and Confederate armies battle in Manassas Junction, Virginia. The Confederates won and gained confidence. The union realized the obstacle they would face to win this war.

Emancipation Proclamation

Sep 22, 1861

Lincoln did not free slaves in some Northern Slaves for cation of the States to still be apart of the Union. Also encouraged slaves in Confederate States to break free and join the Union Army.

Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

This battle was taken place in Sharpsburg, Maryland. It was the first battle of the Civil War to be located on Northern Soil. The Union were able to defeat Confederate army in this battle, however, Lee's army were able to gain area in North for future battles. This was the most deadly day in America's history with 22,000 casualties.

Gettysburg and Gettysburg Address

Jul 1, 1863

This battle is the most important battle of the American Civil War. General George G. Meade of the Union defeated General Lee of the Confederate army and sent them retrieving back to Virginia.

Andersonville Prison

1864

It was the largest prison for Confederate army to capture and intake Union soldiers as prisoners. 13,000 Union men were killed here. Captain Henry Wirz was sentenced to death after civil war for running it.

Appomattox Court House Surrendor

Apr 9, 1865

In Virginia, General Lee surrendered his confederate army of Northern Virginia to General of the Union, Ulysses Grant. This battle brought the American Civil War to an end.

Abraham Lincoln Assasination

Apr 14, 1865

A famous actor name John Wilke Booth assasinated Abraham Lincoln(president of US). This happened in Ford’s theaters located in Washington D.C.

Recronstruction

May 2, 1865

This was the attempt to reunite the Confederate States back with the North. It freed 4 million slaves. However, future white supremacy act such as the Ku Klux Klan, was formed.