Civil War Timeline

By s-steutsch

  • Fugitive Slave Act

    Free African Americans and those who escaped to the North were now required to be returned to their owners.

  • Harpers Ferry Raid

    John Brown attempted to incite an armed slave revolt be raiding a weapon store in Harpers Ferry. It didn't go well and incited further tension between the North and South.

  • Abraham Lincoln Elected

    Abraham Lincoln won the election, much to the dissatisfaction of the South.

  • South Carolina Secedes

    South Carolina seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America.

  • Fort Sumter

    First exchange of fire in the war.

  • Border States Secede

    Other states between the North and South begin to secede and join the Confederacy.

  • First Battle of Bull Run

    First major battle, Confederate victory.

  • Second Battle of Bull Run

    Confederates win again and send Union troops back to D.C.

  • Battle of Antietam

    Bloodiest say in the Civil war but inconclusive.

  • Emancipation Proclamation

    Abraham Lincoln freed all the slaves in the south, not including slave states still in the Union. Didn't do a whole lot but was symbolic.

  • Battle of Gettysburg

    Confederate forces are repelled from invading Pennsylvania and pushed back.

  • Siege of Vicksburg

    Union forces split the Confederate army in two. A major victory.

  • New York City Draft Riots

    Urban poor begin to riot against the conscription act in fear of competition from freed slaves.

  • Gettysburg Address

    Abraham Lincoln gives his famous address and helps unite the Union.

  • Capture of Atlanta

    General Sherman engages in total warfare to break confederate morale.

  • Lincoln Reelected

    Lincoln's successes in battle help propel him to a second term.

  • Surrender of the South

    General Lee surrendered and the war was effectively over.