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Election of 1860
Lincoln hated slavery but wanted to preserve the union. Before he ever became president, he made a speech against slavery about how unequal it was. When he was elected that was the last straw for the south. Lincoln was prepared to fight to preserve the union and then deal with slavery. He didn’t want war but he wasn’t going to let slavery expand Lincoln didn’t win a single southern state, but he was still winning and that made the south angry causing 7 southern states to secede. -
South Carolina secedes from the Union
South Carolina seceded from the union because the fugitive slave law wasn’t working how it used to and their slaves were not being returned to them. They thought the government had violated the constitutional rights of the states. The south saw this as the last way to preserve their normal way of life and were afraid of a republican government. -
Shots fired at Ft. Sumter
The confederacy (south) attacked the US military at fort Sumter. The news of this created presented a big decision for Lincoln. He decides to just send his soldiers food. By doing this he puts the ball in Davis's court to make the first move towards war. -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam was a very bloody battle with many deaths. In one day it added up to 23,000 fatalities. Generals Lee and McClellan fought hard until McClellan decides to let the confederates go. Because he didn't pursue them aggressively enough, this drove McClellan to be fired by Lincoln. -
Lincoln issues Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln issued a proclamation issuing the "freedom" of all slaves in the US. This caused France and England to withdraw from the confederacy. It also had symbolic value and gave a high moral purpose. This proclamation also made the confederates even more determined to preserve their way of life. -
Battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg
In this bloody battle, the confederacy lost by a landslide. This caused civilian morale to plummet, prevented David Wills from governing effectively, and split the confederacy in two. -
Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address
Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address which honored dead soldiers and called for the living to dedicate their selves to preserve the union and freedom. It represented a new birth of freedom and national regeneration. -
Ft Pillow massacre
The confederate army attacked the US army at Fort Pillow. They captured the fort, but in doing so killed almost 200 black troops of the union. This was super controversial and gave the soldiers even more anger towards the confederates, fueling their rage. From then on black union soldier used “Remember Fort Pillow!” as their battle cry. -
Sherman’s March to the Sea
William T. Sherman wants to destroy everything in his path all the way through Georgia to try to crush the residents' will to live. He took homes, animals, and crops completely demolishing their will to fight. As he barrels through Georgia he frees as many slaves as he can as he goes. -
General Lee surrenders at Appomattox Courthouse
Lee surrendered to Grant at the village of Appomattox courthouse. His soldiers paroled on generous terms.