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The Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise of 1820 was an attempt to prevent the expansion of slavery into the new territory of the Louisiana Purchase. Preserving the Congressional balance, Missouri became a slave state and Maine became a free state. As a result, slavery was restricted above the 36/30 line, this line divided by North to South and Free to Slave. -
Nat Turner's Rebellion
Nat Turner was a slave who, with seventy others, sparked an uprising that killed sixty white people on plantations in Southern Virginia. After two days of violence, Turner And fifty-five slaves were executed for their rebellion. Almost two hundred more slaves were lynched by angry mobs. This resulted in one of the bloodiest rebellions. After all of that Virginia lawmakers took away the very minimal rights that slaves and free black people had at the time, also education was taken away. -
The Wilmot Proviso
David Wilmot tried to pass a piece of legislation that would have outlawed slavery in territories that were won by the United States. After two years of failed attempts, the power of the debate led to the first of many serious discussions of ending slavery. -
The Compromise of 1850
Henry Clay and Stephen Douglas were two senators that were able to make a pact with the Compromise of 1850. The Compromise declared California as a free state and let other states decide for themselves. This strengthened the Fugitive Slave Act, which urged Northerners to capture and return escaped slaves to the South. -
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Uncle Tom’s Cabin is a fictional exploration of slave life and a cultural sensation. This best-selling book was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It brought the horrors of slavery to many who had not been sympathetic to the cause before. It was a controversial book that had many different feelings. The Southerners felt threatened and said that this book was a ‘pack of lies’, and actually banned it. The Northerners felt that they needed to play a more active role in abolishing slavery. -
Bleeding Kansas
1854-1859
Abolitionist John Brown and some of his anti-slavery-supporters came to Kansas to battle pro-slavery supporters. Even though the violence was spread out to four years more than 50 settlers were killed by the anti-slavery forces. -
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates
Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas had seven public debates on the issue of slavery throughout Illinois. Anti-slavery Lincoln shot up in popularity shutting down Douglas's chances at the 1860 election. -
John Brown’s Raid
John Brown was involved and supported the action against the South to end slavery and was a factor in starting the Civil War. This event took place in Harpers Ferry Virginia in October 1859. Even though the raid failed this was an important step towards the end of slavery. -
Abraham Lincoln’s Election
Even though Abraham Lincoln was not included in many Southern ballots, because of his anti-slavery stance he was elected president in 1860. After the Election seven Southern states succeeded from the reunion. -
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter was the first battle of the American Civil War in Charleston, South Carolina. Abraham Lincoln sent fresh supplies to beleaguered garrisons. This started on April 12, when Confederate warships opened a 34-hour bombardment on Major Robert Anderson’s garrison. Anderson’s union surrendered on April 14. -
First Battle of Bull Run
The First Battle of Bull Run had thousands of lives lost. It was the first major land battle of the Civil War. This war was extremely violent and bloody. It resulted in 1,312 captured, 460 union men killed and 1124 union injured. 387 Confederate soldiers were killed, 13 went missing, and 1583 were wounded after the battle. -
Battle of the Ironclads
The CSS Virginia was the world’s first Ironclad ship. It destroyed two wooden US warships in Hampton Roads. This battle changed naval warfare forever. This help proved that wooden vessels could never compete against ironclads and therefore made them obsolete. -
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh was a two-day long battle that ended in many casualties on both sides. The Confederate army started a surprise attack on the union but they still ended with a victory. This was a very important win for General Ulysses S. Grant and the Union. It enabled Grant to have more control of the Mississippi Valley. -
Antietam
September 16-18 This battle between the union and the confederates ended in a draw and is known as the bloodiest day in all of American military history. The Confederates were forced to retreat back which halted their invasion of Maryland. As a result, President Lincoln announced his Emancipation Proclamation. -
Fredericksburg
December 11-15
The battle took place in Fredericksburg, Virginia. This was a big loss for the union army. Even though they had much more men fighting they ended up with twice as many deaths. This outcome gave extreme strength to the confederate cause. -
Chancellorsville
April 30- May 6
Chancellorsville, also known as Robert E. Lee’s “Perfect Battle” was an important victory for the Confederacy. It was also the battle that resulted in the death of Thomas “Stonewall “ Jackson among 18,00 others. Lee made a daring decision to split his own army to face the enemy that was double his size. Even though it was a major loss for the union killing Jackson was a turning point for them. -
Gettysburg
July 1-3
Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War. This was Robert E. Lee’s failed attempt to invade to North and end the war. This union victory gave them much-needed confidence which led to the end of the confederate plan to invade the North. Around 50,000 soldiers from both sides died during this three-day battle. -
Vicksburg
May 18- July 4
Vicksburg was the final military action by the union to establish their position for the Civil War which lasted for 47 days. This was a huge victory for the union and gave them control of the Mississippi River while cutting the Confederacy in half. -
Appomattox (not the battle)
Robert E. Lee officially surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant and the union in Appomattox, Virginia. This event led to the end of the Civil War. After four years at war, Lee wanted to try to prevent any more damage to the South. -
Lincoln’s assassination
John Wilkes Booth intentionally assassinated President Lincoln. This all took place at Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. This event happened only days after Robert E. Lee surrendered his army Court House and ended the Civil War. What started off as a planned kidnapping ended with a much worse fate of our president.
