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Siege of Fort Sumter
When the South claimed that Fort Sumter, which was in their land, was theirs the Union refused to leave and opened fire. This signified the souths defiance to the north. -
Battle of Bull Run
The Battle of Bull Run was the first battle of the Civil War. Everyone thought that the Union would easily beat the Confederacy and the war would end. It was apparent, after this battle, however, that it would be a long tolling war. -
Battle of Antietam
In the battle of Antietam, General McClellan found the battle plans of the Confederate army. They later fought to together on a narrow bridge. Both sides suffered major casualties. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in the Confederacy, but let the loyal slave states keep their slaves. First and foremost, freeing southern slaves would really decrease the south's access to supplies needed for war. If Lincoln were to free slaves everywhere, the loyal states might leave. Though this was put into place, the confederacy did not listen, but it did shift the motives of war to end slavery. -
Battle of Gettysburg
In hopes to capture Washington D.C., General Lee march up north. The south and north sides met outside of Gettysburg resulting in a bloody battle. On the 1st day, the Union was driven out of Gettysburg but took strong positions on Cemetery Ridge. On the 2nd day, the south attacked both sides of the Union line, but they were prepared and defended well. On the 3rd day, General Pickett led 15,000 men to attack the center of the union line. They failed, leaving 50,000 people dead on both sides. -
General Sherman's March to the Sea
Because of Ulysses S. Grant's total war strategy, General Sherman was sent across theSouth to obliterate anything in their path that could be useful to the south. They set towns and homes afire, killed livestock, and destroyed fields. This devastated the south itself, and scarred people who were affected by it. Sherman's March to the Sea negatively affected the north and south's relations. -
Lee's Surrender at Appotamox Courthouse
In one day, Grant took both Richmond and Petersburg. After being trapped by the Union troops, Lee surrendered. On Grant's terms,s could keep their horses and go home. By the end of the war, however, it had proved itself to be extremely tolling.