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Union Naval Blockade 1861-1865
This event, following Fort Sumter, took place in the South. The union tried to blockade the southern states in an effort to stop any supplies and troops from entering into them. It is most known for its "Anaconda Plan," describing the Union's attempts to constrict the South. While some ships did make it through the blockade, they were only able to do so because they were fast and useful. The blockade had a big impact on South, leaving the area suffering from lack of supplies and broken economy. -
Fort Sumter
The first battle that kicked off the start of the Civil War and took place on an island in South Carolina. Tensions were high because South Carolina had seceded from the Union. The South pelted Fort Sumter on all sides and after many hours, without food or proper supplies, Major Anderson, leader of the Union forces in Charleston, surrendered. This battle not only kick started the entirety of the Civil War, but allowed the Confederates to create a prized hole in the Union blockade. -
First Battle of Bull Run
The first major battle of the Civil War taking place in Virginia. Northerners thought it would be an easy victory since their army’s military experience was great. The Confederates did have some trouble with troops and their plans of action. When the fight began, it looked like the Union was wining. The Confederates had managed to push them back and win the battle. The lost hurt the hopes of the Union ending the war quickly. It forced Northerners to realize that there was much more work to do. -
Trent Affair 1861-1865
A diplomatic crisis that took place between the United States and Great Britain. The ordeal occurred when the captain of USS San Jacinto ordered that two confederate envoys be arrested. They were sailing to Europe on the British Mail Ship, called the Trent, to seek support for the South in the Civil War. The British was outraged at the ship being taken by the U.S navy. They deemed it to be a violation of International Law and this issue could’ve caused another war, which explains its importance. -
Battle of Shiloh
A battle between the Union and the Confederacy in Southwestern Tennessee. The Confederate army was forced to retreat from Western Tennessee after securing Kentucky and set camp for back up and to train soldiers. A Union general knew Confederates were idling around and decided to attack before more soldiers arrived. The initial attack of the Confederates was great, but the Union was forced to retreat. This battle left an impact on the nation due its number of deaths. -
Battle of Antietam
Considered to be one of the bloodiest battles in American History, the battle had attacks and counter attacks from both the Union and Confederates. Eventually, the Southern forces retreated by night fall and went back to Virginia. There technically was no official victor of this battle, but the North had claimed it a win in their territory since the South was forced to retreat. This gave Lincoln the confidence the release his Emancipation Proclamation. -
Issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation
A famous document that was an order given by Abraham Lincoln. The document stated that all enslaved black people were to be freed from their masters but, not all enslaved black people were set free. It had limitations such as freeing enslaved African Americans in the Confederate States not under Union control. The executive order wasn’t a law or something put into the Constitution. The order had said to enslaved black people to fight for freedom and made the Civil War’s purpose about freedom. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
A decisive victory for the South, this battle took place around the city of Fredericksburg in Northern Virginia. The Union made bridges in order to aid themselves. The Confederates put a good fight, but eventually the Union completed the bridges and crossed it in order to enter the city of Fredericksburg. The Confederates were surprised at the Union’s tactics, but managed to get the upper hand. The battle signaled the low point of the war, even though the Union outnumbered the Confederates. -
Vicksburg Campaign
Being a decisive Union victory, this battle divided the Confederacy and waged a campaign from the Union. The campaign from the Union was used to take Confederate hold of Vicksburg, Mississippi. The event gave the control of the Mississippi River to the Union which was already a part of the Union’s Anaconda Plan to cut off outside trade to the Confederates. This event cemented the reputation of Union General Ulysses S. Grant and allowed the Union to have more power over the Confederates. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
A major battle that took place near the small town of Chancellorsville, Virginia. The South had claimed a victory form the North. A Union general had everything planned accordingly and was sure that the confedrates would retreat. Things got ugly and the Confederate army attacked the Union at Chancellorsville. After the fighting, the Union army was forced to retreat, making the Confederates victorious. The death of a famous general, Stonewall Jackson, saddened the troops and citizens. -
Battle of Gettysburg
One of the most important battles of the Civil War. On the first day, the Confederates outnumbered the Union and caused them to retreat. The second day, both armies were heading at each other with full force. The Union lines held their ground. Near the end of the battle, a confederate general felt like their army was about to lose the war. He pelted a full-fledged attack on the Union and it failed. This battle dashed the hopes of the Confederate States of America to be an independent nation. -
Gettysburg Address
A short, but profound speech given by President Abraham Lincoln. It is considered today to be one of the greatest speeches ever given. The speech itself just gave an inspirational overview of what happened over the course of the Civil War. It put into use the value of human equality and connected the sacrifices of the Civil War to a path of rebirth and freedom. -
Overland Campaign May 4 to April 24
A name given to a number of battles between the Union and Confederates armies. They took place between May 4 and June 1864. This event signaled a more strategic change in the direction of the Union army. There were many attempts at trying to gain Richmond, but of those efforts were proved to be a failure. One of the main impacts of the Overland Campaign was the number of casualties. Many Northerners were shocked the death and weary of another war happening. -
Sherman's March to the Sea November 15 to December 21
One of the most devastating blows to the South, this event involved General Sherman taking control of Atlanta and Savannah. Both of these areas were crucial to the South in terms of resources. General Sherman marched to Savannah and took control of the sea port. He decided to hurt the Confederacy further by destroying cotton gins and other industries that grew the Confederacy’s economy. The reason for General Sherman’s actions was to scare Georgia’s public into abandoning the Confederate cause. -
Appomattox Campaign March 29 to April 9
A series of American Civil War battles fought from March to April. The Confederates were trapped near the Appomattox Court House and surrendered its army to the Union General. It is known to be one of the final battles of the American Civil War. -
General Lee’s Surrender at Appomattox
The start of the end of the Civil War, General Robert E. Lee surrendered his army to the Union. During April, two generals, Lee and Grant met to discuss the surrendering of Lee’s army. President Lincoln also met with the Confederates and told them, under the terms of surrender, that the Confederates could not rebel again. The Confederate’s surrender signified the end of the Civil War, the bloodiest conflict in American history.