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Election of 1860
Republican Abraham Lincoln defeated John C. Breckinridge, Stephen A. Douglas, John Ball. It was the 19th election of the United States. -
Fort Sumter
What was known for the beginning of the Civil War (first battle) due to the first shots fired at Fort Sumter. -
Emancipation Proclamation
was a presidential proclamation and executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free." -
Military Draft
was a legislation passed by the United States Congress during the American Civil War to provide fresh manpower for the Union Army. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Civil War battle in Pennsylvania that ended in Union victory, spelling doom for the Confederacy, which never again managed to invade the North. Site of General George Pickett's daring but doomed charge on northern lines. -
Suspension of Habeas Corpus
Writs of habeas corpus are court orders requiring that the a cause of imprisonment be demonstrated before a person is jailed. This basic civil liberty was suspended by both Lincoln and Davis during the war to deal with dissent. Lincoln used it to intimidate border states into rejecting secession. -
Gettysburg Address
Abraham Lincoln's oft-quoted speech, delivered at the dedication of the cemetery at Gettysburg battlefield. In the address, Lincoln framed the war as a means to uphold the values of liberty. -
Grant takes Command of Union Army
In March 1864, Lincoln gave Ulysses S. Grant command of all Union armies. Vowing to end the war within a year, Grant launched three major offenses. -
Election of 1864
Abraham Lincoln was re-elected as president. Lincoln ran against George B. McClellan. -
Sherman’s March to the Sea
General Sherman lead a force from Chattanooga, Tennessee to South Carolina destroying everything the Confederates could use to survive. He set fire to South Carolina's capital, Columbia. -
Surrender of Appomattox
Site were Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant after almost a year of brutal fighting throughout Virginia. Also one of the last battles of the Civil War. -
Assassination of Lincoln
John Wilkes Booth killed Lincoln five days after Lee's surrender. The assassination took place at Ford's Theatre. -
Ratification of the 13th Amendment
Constitutional amendment prohibiting all forms of slavery and involuntary servitude. Former Confederate States were required to ratify the amendment prior to gaining reentry into the union.
