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Freeport Doctrine
This caused the South to demand the U.S. government for Slave Code. Southern states wanted it to be guaranteed by the government that slaves could be kept in all U.S. territory. -
Alton Debate (Lincoln v Douglas)
Lincoln and Douglas's last debate. They argued about many social issues such as the spread of slavery -
Pony Express
The Pony Express was founded. This offered more reliable mail delivery which meant information could be spread faster and more efficiently. -
Democratic Party Votes for 1860 Election Candidate
The Democratic Party votes Stephen Douglas as a frontrunner. However, he didn't support slavery which made the party refuse to back him. Due to many members leaving in protest, the convention ended without a nominee. -
Constitutional Union Party's First Convention
John Bell is nominated as presidential nominee during the first Constitutional Union convention. President Edward Everett is voted as his running mate. Bell's plan was to extend the Missouri Compromise further across America in hopes to sway voters upset with division within the Democratic Party. -
Republican Party Holds Second National Convention
The Republican Party agrees that it's against slavery and the further expansion of the practice. Many members choose they want to abolish it completely. Lincoln was nominated as Republican presidential candidates along with Hannibal Hamlin as his running mate. -
Abraham Lincoln is Elected
Abraham Lincoln is elected the 16th president of the United States of America. He was a member of the anti-slavery Republican Party, stirring up controversy in America. -
1860 Election Results
Lincoln wins 1860 election through electoral college with 180 electoral votes though he had 40% popular votes. -
Crittenden Compromise
A proposal by United States Senator John J. Crittenden that would make the abolition of slavery unconstitutional. It was unsuccessful due to Northern government intervention. -
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina is the first southern state to secede from the United States due to many political controversies such as slavery. Wanting to protect their way of life and finances, this states decided to leave the United States. -
Mississippi Secedes
Mississippi secedes from the United States of America. Many reasons were high tariffs, state's rights and pro-slavery ideals. Pro-slavery beliefs were the main reasons for Mississippi's succession. -
Florida Secedes
Florida seceded from the United States of America to secure things such as it's power and wealth. These things were guarded by slavery in their eyes. To protect their money and power they succeeded from the United States due to anti-slavery movements growing. -
Alabama Secedes
Alabama secedes from the United States of America. Their main reason for seceding was to keep the practice of slavery. -
Georgia Secession
Georgia secedes from the United States of America. They voted to secede and created Georgia's first new constitution. -
Louisiana Secedes
Louisiana secedes from the United States of America. An official claimed their goal was to preserve their practice of slavery. -
Texas Secession
Texas secedes from the United States of America. This was because of solidarity with follow southern states and the perceived flaws of the U.S. such as attacks from Natives, boarder crossings and slave stealing. -
Virginia Secession
Virginia secedes from the United States of America. They did this to preserve slavery and ' protect' the well being and way of life of their people. -
North Carolina Secession
North Carolina secedes from the United States of America. Though they didn't rely on slavery as much as it's fellow southern states, it decided to secede from the union. It was a very hard decision for this state to make. -
Arkansas Secedes
Arkansas secedes from the United States of America. This was due to the outcomes of the election of 1860 and the want to preserve slavery. -
Tennessee Secession
Tennessee secedes from the United States of America. After the firing on Fort Sumter in April, this state decided to secede from the Union and join the Confederacy. -
Abraham Lincoln Issues War Order
President Lincoln issues a war order which allows the Union to engage in battle with the Confederacy. However, General McClellan chose to neglect the order. -
McClellan Loses Command
President Lincoln relieved General McClellan of his duty as supreme command. McClellan was then put incharge of Potomac and ordered to attack Richmond, starting the Peninsular Campaign. -
Batlle of the Monitor and the Merrimac
The first navel battle between two ironclad ships happened and ended in a draw. During this battle two wooden Union warships have been sunken off Norfolk, Virginia. -
The Battle of Shiloh
Union forces commanded by General Ulysses Grant is attacked by the confederacy. This takes place in Shiloh, Tennessee. After almost being defeated in one day, the federal troops were able to get reinforcement and retake control of the battle. This caused the Confederate troops to retreat. -
David Farragut Takes Control of New Orleans
An assault leading up the Mississippi river led by Officer David Farragut took place. He eventually took control of New Orleans following this successful attack. -
The Peninsular Campaign
General McClellan leads the Peninsular Campaign. By this time they occupied Yorktown, Virginia. -
The Battle of Seven Pines
Federal forces are attacked by the Confederates at Seven Pines. Confederate commander Joseph E Johnston was wounded. The union is saved by reinforcements last minute in this battle. -
Jackson Defeats Union Forces
"Stonewall" Jackson lands victory in Shenandoah Valley, forcing them to retreat to Washington, D.C. after being attacked in March. -
The Seven Day's Battles
The Seven Day's Battles begins. These battles are: Mechanicsville, Gaines's Mill, Savage's Station, Frayser's Farm, and Malvern Hill. On July 2, the Peninsular Champaign is complete when the Confederates are forced to retreat. -
Union Army Gains New Commander
Major-General Henry Halleck was given the position of general-in-chief of the Union Army. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln, who has been aware of Congress and the nation pushing for abolition, declared all slaves in the areas of rebellion were legally free from slavery. -
Bread Riots of Richmond Virginia
Due to food deprivation caused by the civil war, riots broke out. The Bread Riots of Richmond were also known as the "Richmond Women's Bread Riot." -
The Battle of Chancellorsville
Union General Hooker crossed the Rappahannock River with the intention of attacking General Lee's forces. However Lee split his army and was able to attack the Union army by surprise. The south was victorious in this battle but suffered many causalities. -
The Vicksburg Campaign
This Campaign led by Union General Grant began attack on the city of Vicksburg. This led to the confederacy being split in two after the Union captured Port Hudson, Louisiana. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
This was the turning point of the Civil War. The Union won the Battle of Gettysburg, turning the tide in their favor. This demoralized the south. -
Robert E. Lee Offers to Resign
The loss at Gettysburg was so crucial that it completely demoralized General E. Lee. He sent a letter to Jefferson Davis offering to resign due to his failure at Gettysburg. -
The Battle of Chickamauga
Confederate and Union forces meet on Tennesse-Georgia border near the Chickamauga Creek. Union forces had to retreat to Chattanooga and Confederacy kept control of the battlefield. -
Gettysburg Address
Abraham Lincoln gives the memorable 2 minute speech, the Gettysburg Address. This speech honors all lives lost in the battlefield, and brings hope to the healing and unification of the nation. -
The Battle of Chattanooga
The battle begins and the Union forces push through Confederate troops. This led the way to General Sherman's Atlanta Campaign. -
The Siege of Knoxville
After the battle of Chickamauga, Bragg would detach force under Longstreet. This would drive Burnside out of eastern Tennessee. Seeking refuge in Knoxville, he defended from Confederate attacks. -
Battle of the Wilderness
General Grant is promoted to Union Commander. He plans to engage Lee's forces in Virginia. This leads to a three day battle beginning. -
The Battle of Spotsylvania
The attack against Lee by General Grant goes on. They fight at Spotsylvania Court House for five days. -
The Battle of Cold Harbor
Grant attacks Confederates. This leads to the loss of 7 thousand men in just 20 minutes. This was Lee's final victory in the war. -
The Siege of Petersburg Begins
Grants begins the siege hoping to take Petersburg then approach the Confederate capitol from the south. This siege fails and drags on for 10 months. -
John Bell Hood Surrenders
Hood surrenders in Atlanta, Georgia. Union General Sherman now occupied the city, boosting the morale of the Union army. -
Confederate Troops Approach Washington, D.C.
Confederate General Jubal Early approaches Washington, D.C. with his forces within 5 miles of the capitol. However, he was driven back to Virginia. -
Lincoln is Re-Elected
Abraham Lincoln is re-elected as president of the United States for a 2nd term. Sherman's victory in Atlanta helped boost Lincoln's popularity and win the re-election by a lot. -
General Sherman's March to the Sea
General Sherman marched his forces towards the see through Georgia. His troops lived off the land as they marched. During this they destroyed factories, bridges, railroads and other public buildings. -
Sherman Arrives at Sea
Sherman captures Savannah, Georgia after his march to sea. He begins his movement northward after capturing this stronghold. -
Hood Attacks in Nashville
Though his army was small, General Hood marches to Nashville in a strike against General Thomas. General Hood loses this battle. -
Black Codes Introduced
South introduces Black Codes to restrict freedoms of freedmen and other African Americans. -
Battle of Beverly
Confederate forces attack Union post in West Virginia. -
Second Battle of Fort Fisher
58 Union ships and 8,000 troops converge at Fort Fisher. -
Fort Fisher
General Alfred H. Terry's troops storm Fort Fisher and Wilmington. This is because the last resort blockade runners were sealed off. -
Field Order #15
General Sherman issues Field Order #15. This means he was calling for the redistribution of confiscated Southern land to freedmen. -
Carolinas Campaign Begins
General Sherman begins his Carolinas Campaign. From Georgia he advances to South Carolina. -
Columbia is Captured by Sherman
Sherman captures Columbia during the Carolinas Campaign. This is the capital of the Palmetto State. -
Lee Attacks Petersburg
General Grant's forces are attacked by General Lee after Lincoln refuses peace talks. -
Lee Attacks Again
General Lee attacks General Grant in Petersburg again. This attempt fails as well. -
General Lee Evacuates Petersburg
Due to his failure to defeat General Grant's forces, General Lee decides to evacuate his troops from Petersburg. -
Civil War Officially Ends
Davis is captured by Union forces in Georgia in May 1865, leading to the end of the Civil War. -
Freedmen's Bureau
Provided food, shelter, clothing, medical services, and land to displaced Southerners such as newly freed African Americans -
Ex Parte Milligan Rule
A case where the US Supreme Court ruled that the federal court cannot establish military courts and try civilians. -
The Civil Rights Act
This act was the first to define what citizenship in the US was. It helped begin the process for equal protection by law for citizens. -
Equal Rights Face Retaliation
As African Americans gained more opportunities and freedom, racist groups such as the KKK form. -
Tennessee Readmitted
The state of Tennessee is the first to rejoin the Union after the Civil War, -
Voting Rights in Washington, D.C.
African Americans in Washington, D.C. were given the right to legally vote. -
Nebraska Becomes A State
Nebraska is admitted into the union. It is the 37th sate and became the best farmland of the nation. -
Tenure of Office Act
A law intended to restrict power of the president without Senate approval. -
Alaska Purchase
As the U.S. began getting back on their feet, they purchased Alaska from Russia. This helped settle a higher place within global trade and power. -
The Grange Founded
A method of agriculture to promote social and economic growth within the United States to help rebuild after the war. -
Manifest Destiny
The idea of westward expansion and Manifest Destiny became popular again. -
Medicine Lodge Treaty
A treaty between the U.S. government and many native tribes that controlled what lands the Cheyenne could use south of Fort Larned. -
Reconstruction Acts
An act that described which Southern states would be brought back into the Union. This was written by many of the more radical republicans in the US congress.
