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Uncle Tom's Cabin is Published
This was a novel that was published that was supporting the abolitioist views. It was significant because it supported Lincoln's vision for America, so therefore was through the eyes of the political views. This was cotroversial however, because during the time it was published the South was very much for slavery as an economic means of employment, and therefore stirred up the problems that were present and being debated at the time. -
The Ruling of Dred Scott
Dred Scott was a slave who, after leaving a free state and moving back to a slave state, tried to fight for his freedom. The Supreme Court Justice Robert Tangley dismissed Scott's suit as he was a slave, not a citizen, all the while stating that the Bill of Rights stated that the government cannot takle away a mans property unjustly, therefore slavery is protected by law. This caused aboplitionists to begin to worry of their political system and the South's roles in it. -
John Brown & Harper's Ferry
Brown and volunteers seized federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia that eventually led to a brief battle and Brown's execution.This was significant as it showed that the their was going to be a war if a compromise and peace could not be made by the North and the South. The fact that Brown could find volunteers to help in his seige against the South in itself showed the general feelings of Northern society at the time. This event showed that both sides were ready to fight for their beliefs. -
The Beggining of Succession
South Carolina succeded on this day and was later followed by six other states. Together these states formed the Confederate States of America, with a constitution that focused on safeguarding slavery. This essentially marked the beggining of the civil war, as it was a declaration of the South's unchanging view on slavery, and that they were ready to leave and become independant to hold these values. -
Fort Sumter
Jefferson Davis had given orders for the Confederates to capture Fort Sumter. This was significant because it was this attack that essentially marked the beggining of the civil war. Politically this marked the beggining of the war as it sent a clear message between the Confederate and Union that both sides were ready to attack and fight for what they believed. It economically did the same by marking the begining of preperations for the way, and in society caused the social shift to 'war mode.' -
Battle of Bull Run
It was at this battle that the Confederate army had one of their first wins against the Union, and left the Union going beack to the North. This was significant politically because it not only sent a clear message to the Union that the South was not going to be an easy target,but also helped the South to better prepare themselves for the next fight, which also is an economic factor. Socially, this victory instilled a sense of pride in the Southerners and acted as positive reinforcement. -
Antietam
This battle was very significant because it was not only the day with the most blood shed, but it was also the day that put the Confederate's winning streak to a halt. Politically, this meant that both sides were prepared to win at all costs, economically it meant that both sides were well prepared to fight and socially it meant that both sides had strong support, as so many soldiers were acceptingly being lost in order to preserve political and social beliefs. -
The Emancipation Proclamation
It wa on this date that Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclimation declaring many slaves in the South to be free. Politically, this was very significant as it was essentially the President declaring that he was siding with the Union, and that in itself esentially declared that the Union had won. Socially this made the chosen leader of the country lead by example of what was to become widely accepted, and economically this changed the way the South's economy would function after this war. -
The Largest Battle: Gettysburg
This battle was amoung the largest and bloodiest fought, and resulted in a Union win, in both the battle and ultimatley, the war. This battle was politically significant because it marked the loss of the Confederate in the battle to protect their views. Economically, this battle caused sevre damage, and raged on for days, esentially coming at a high cost. Socially, this marked the end of the acceptance of slavery as a societal view. -
Appomattox
It was here that Lee and his remaining troops surrendered to Grant. Politically, this marked the win for the Union, and forever changed US political views. Socially, this created the turning point for the views that were meant to be seen as accepted by society and those views that were now meant to be abolished. -
The Assasination of President Lincoln
President Lincoln was shot at Ford's Theatre in Washington by John Wilkes Booth. Politically and socially this assasination showed the upset and divide that is present between the North andthe South, as this loss was devestating for the North but a vengance for the South. This is also significant because it shows that there is a large gap between the North and the Souht and minimal understanding between the two. -
THE START OF RECONSTRUCTION
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The 15th Ammendment
The Republican Party passed the 15th ammendment that guaranteed the right of citizens to vote regardless of race, colour etc. Politically, this was a risk as the previous slaves could potentially present a bias based on their previous experiences. Socially, this gave a whole new social statandard that would be hard to accept. -
The Completion of the Transcontinental Railroad
This day marked the completion of the transconitnental railroad. This was significant because it was not only a physical economic improvement and advancement towards a better future economically and societally for the US. It was also a symbol of the transition from war, which is tearing down the country, to recounstruction which is bulding it back up.
