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Dred Scott Decision (Dred Scott v. Sandford)
(Pre-Official Civil War); Dred Scott v. John F. A. Sandford was a Supreme Court case in which it was ruled that a slave (Dred Scott) who had inhabited a free state was not entitled to his freedom, and therefore inferring that African Americas were not citizens of the US. This directly contradicted the Missouri Compromise and declared it unconstitutional. -
Abraham Lincoln Inauguration
Abraham Lincoln's first inauguration as the 16th president of the United States. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
Occurring in Charleston, South Carolina, the Battle of Fort Sumter was the official start of the civil war. Following South Carolina's declaration of secessions, US Major Robert Anderson seized and occupied the fort, until President Lincoln announced plans to resupply it; the Confederate Army bombarded it, leading to an eventual Union surrender. -
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Battle of Fort Sumter
Occurring in Charleston, South Carolina, the Battle of Fort Sumter was the official start of the civil war. Following South Carolina's declaration of secessions, US Major Robert Anderson seized and occupied the fort, until President Lincoln announced plans to resupply it; the Confederate Army bombarded it, leading to an eventual Union surrender. -
Union Blockade of Confederate Ports
The Union Blockade of Confederate Ports was a war/ naval strategy used by the President Lincoln to prevent the Confederacy from trading (e.g. the export of cotton, smuggling of war material, etc.). It had a great impact on the economy of the South, as well as the economies of surrounding areas, as it drastically reduced Confederacy shipments. It led to a difficulty to supply supplies, weapons, and food for civilians and soldiers and ended when the war did in 1865. -
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Union Blockade of Confederate Ports
The Union Blockade of Confederate Ports was a war/ naval strategy used by the President Lincoln to prevent the Confederacy from trading (e.g. the export of cotton, smuggling of war material, etc.). It had a great impact on the economy of the South, as well as the economies of surrounding areas, as it drastically reduced Confederacy shipments. It led to a difficulty to supply supplies, weapons, and food for civilians and soldiers and ended when the war did in 1865. -
The First Battle of Bull Run
Battle of Bull Run was the first major land battle of the Civil War. Fought near Manassas in northern Virginia, the North wanted the Union Army to go after Richmond, Virginia, in the hopes that the war would turn in their favor if they won. It ended in a Confederate victory.
Causalities:
Union - 460 killed 1,124 wounded, 1,300 missing or captured
Confederate - 387 killed, 1,582 wounded, about 13 missing -
Robert E. Lee made Confederate General
Robert E. Lee was first offered command of the US Army, which he declined and soon after resigned. He then joined the Confederacy, where he was made a general and later promoted to be the overall commander of the Confederate States Army until the war ended in 1865. -
Battle of Fort Donelson
The Battle of Fort Donelson was one of the Union's first major victories of the Civil War, led by Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant. Confederate forces were surrounded at the fort and agreed to immediate surrender, ensured that Kentucky would remain in the Union.
Casualties:
Union - 507 killed, 1,976 wounded, 208 captured/ missing
Confederate - 327 killed, 1,127 wounded, 12,392 captured/ missing -
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Battle of Fort Donelson
The Battle of Fort Donelson was one of the Union's first major victories of the Civil War, led by Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant. Confederate forces were surrounded at the fort and agreed to immediate surrender, ensured that Kentucky would remain in the Union. -
Jefferson Davis Inauguration (President of the Confederate States)
Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as the first and only president of the Confederate States of America, after the 11 Southern states seceded from the Union. -
Peninsular Campaign
The Peninsular Campaign was a lasting large-scale but unsuccessful Union effort to capture the Confederate capital at Richmond, Virginia. The goal was to achieve this by way of the peninsula formed by the York and the James Rivers. Led by Major General George B. McClellan, there were 3 phases over multiple months and ended with a forced withdrawal of the Federal Army of Potomac by Confederate forces (General Lee) after the Seven Day's Battle. -
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Peninsula Campaign
The Peninsular Campaign was a lasting large-scale but unsuccessful Union effort to capture the Confederate capital at Richmond, Virginia. The goal was to achieve this by way of the peninsula formed by the York and the James Rivers. Led by Major General George B. McClellan, there were 3 phases over multiple months and ended with a forced withdrawal of the Federal Army of Potomac by Confederate forces (General Lee) after the Seven Day's Battle. -
Battle of Shiloh
Battle of Shiloh began when Confederate forces launched a surprise attack on Union forces, led at the time by General Ulysses S. Grant. Despite initial successes, the Confederates were not able to hold their position and were forced back, giving way to Union victory.
Causalities:
Union - 1,754 killed, 8,408 wounded, 2,885 captured or missing
Confederate - 1,728 killed, 8,012 wounded, 959 captured/ missing -
The Second Battle of Bull Run
The Second Battle of Bull Run became a decided battle in an ongoing campaign between Union and Confederate armies. Henry Halleck was newly appointed to command the Union armies. Together, he and Lincoln recalled the Potomac army to Washington to unite with the Army of Virginia, and under General John Pope, an offensive effort toward Richmond was made. This ended in a Union defeat and a Confederate victory.
Casualties:
Union - 14,000 total
Confederate - 9,000 Total -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam at Antietam Creek (Maryland) was a result of an attempt by Confederate General Lee to invade the North. It stands as the deadliest one-day battle in all of American history, ending with a Union victory. General McClellan of the Union allowed to Confederate forces to retreat without resistance, angering President Lincoln, who later removed the General from command.
Casualties:
Union - 12,410 total
Confederate - 10,317 total -
Emancipation Proclamation
Issued by President Lincoln as the third year of civil war began, the Emancipation Proclamation declared that "all persons held as slaves" within the rebelling states "are, and henceforward shall be free." This proclamation only applied to states that seceded from the US, leaving slavery untouched in loyal states and the freedom it promised would only be fulfilled by a Union victory. It was a strengthened vision for many Americans and also permitted the admission of Black soldiers into the war. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
Battle of Chancellorsville was a victory of considerable importance for the Confederacy and General Lee. The armies fought in an open field and Confederate forces split and caved in part of the Union's army, where General Stonewall Jackson then led his 28,000 troops to attack the exposed part. Stonewall Jackson later died as a result of injury after. Lee further pursued Union troops, leading to a retreat into Washington DC.
Casualties:
Union - 17,278 total
Confederacy - 12,826 total -
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Battle of Chancellorsville
Battle of Chancellorsville was a victory of considerable importance for the Confederacy and General Lee. The armies fought in an open field and Confederate forces split and caved in part of the Union's army, where General Stonewall Jackson then led his 28,000 troops to attack the exposed part. Stonewall Jackson later died as a result of injury after. Lee further pursued Union troops, leading to a retreat into Washington DC.
Casualties:
Union - 17,278 total
Confederacy - 12,826 total -
Battle of Vicksburg
This 47 day siege ended with a Union victory under General Ulysses S. Grant. The Confederacy surrender gave the Union control of the entire Mississippi River, splitting the Confederacy in half.
Casualties:
Union - 4,910
Confederacy - 32,363 -
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Battle of Vicksburg
This 47 day siege ended with a Union victory under General Ulysses S. Grant. The Confederacy surrender gave the Union control of the entire Mississippi River, splitting the Confederacy in half.
Casualties:
Union - 4,910
Confederacy - 32,363 -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was a major battle of the civil war, ending in a crushing Confederate defeat, also regarded as the turning point of the war. Occurring after General Robert E. Lee's victory at the Battle of Chancellorsville, he decided to invade the North in hopes of gaining another upper hand. He was forced to withdrawal as troops on both side sides experienced great losses.
Casualties:
Union - 23,000 total
Confederacy - 28,000 total -
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Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was a major battle of the civil war, ending in a crushing Confederate defeat, also regarded as the turning point of the war. Occurring after General Robert E. Lee's victory at the Battle of Chancellorsville, he decided to invade the North in hopes of gaining another upper hand. He was forced to withdrawal as troops on both side sides experienced great losses.
Casualties:
Union - 23,000 total
Confederacy - 28,000 total -
Gettysburg Address
Abraham Lincoln's famous speech delivered after the Battle of Gettysburg, dedicating the Gettysburg National Cemetery in Pennsylvania to fallen soldiers. This speech remains one of the most influential in history. -
Ulysses S. Grant appointed US lieutenant general
As general of the US troops, Grant went on to defeat General Lee and soon after help win the civil war for the Union. -
Election of 1864 (Lincoln Reelected)
The Election of 1864 was the 20th Presidential election in which Abraham Lincoln was elected for a second term. -
Battle of Appomattox
General Robert E. Lee surrendered his 28,000 Confederate troops to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. This technically ended the Civil War, and forced the South to abandon the Confederate capitol of Richmond Virginia. -
Abraham Lincoln Assassination
Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth days after the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House. His death sent US citizens into an uproar. -
Battle of Palmito Ranch (Final Battle)
Considered the final battle in the Civil War, Confederate forces defeated Union forces at Palmito Ranch in Texas. Even knowing about General Lee's surrender, Col. Theodore H. Barnett moved his troops in hope to destroy a Confederate camp. Despite a Confederate victory, Confederate forces in the area surrendered to Union officials and officially ending the civil war.
Casualties:
Union - 117
Confederacy - 6 -
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Battle of Palmito Ranch
Considered the final battle in the Civil War, Confederate forces defeated Union forces at Palmito Ranch in Texas. Even knowing about General Lee's surrender, Col. Theodore H. Barnett moved his troops in hope to destroy a Confederate camp. Despite a Confederate victory, Confederate forces in the area surrendered to Union officials and officially ending the civil war.
Casualties:
Union - 117
Confederacy - 6