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Uncle Tom’s Cabin
The book Uncle Tom’s Cabin was published as an anti-slavery novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe. The importance of this book was that it was a big contributor to the start of the American Civil War. By vividly describing the experience of slavery, the author’s goal was to put an end to slavery which was a response to the Fugitive Act of 1850. As a result, tension grew between the North and the South for their views on slavery and soon, as aforementioned, became a factor in the start of the Civil War. -
Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration
On November 6, 1860, President Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as the sixteenth president of the United States of America. As he was a candidate for the antislavery Republican Party, he was given negative tension from the southern states. As such, his inauguration was significant for leading to the secession of eleven southern states from the Union. -
Formation of the Confederate States of America
On February 4, 1861, the Confederate States of America is properly formed. As the representatives from the states that left the Union met up in Montgomery, Alabama, they elected Jefferson Davis as their president. They ensured that their slaves would be kept and this event signified the split of the United States that resulted in the American Civil War. -
Fort Sumter
In April 1861, Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, was attacked by the south. When President Lincoln had announced he was going to supply it, Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard bombed the place. After 34 hours of gunfire, Anderson and his 86 soldiers surrendered on April 13, 1861. This battle had signified the first shots fired by the South in the Civil War. -
Union Blockade
From April 19, 1861, to the end of the Civil War in 1865, President Lincoln announced the Union Blockade. The significance of this blockade was that it kept foreign countries from shipping supplies to the South. Most of the ships that ever went through the blockade were small, fast ships. Additionally, it did prove to be sufficient as at the end of the war, many of the men in the Southern armies were starving and people were lacking necessary supplies. -
Battle of Philippi
On June 3, 1861, the Battle of Philippi is signified as the first battle in the American Civil War. As a part of the Western Virginia Campaign, it was fought in and around Philippi, West Virginia. However, Fort Sumter is regarded as the first battle in the Civil War because the Battle of Philippi is considered more as a skirmish. -
First Battle of Bull Run
On July 21, 1861, in Prince William County, Virginia, the First Battle of Bull Run, or also known as the Battle of First Manassas, was fought. The battle is significant for being known as the very first major battle in the American Civil War. Despite the Union outnumbering the Confederate, the South proved their strength through their experience by winning the battle. -
Battle of the Ironclads
From March 8, 1862 - March 9, 1862, the Battle of Ironclads took place as one of the most famous naval battles. Two ironclads, involved were the U.S.S. Monitor and the C.S.S. Eventually, the Virginia sunk two Union ships and also left one resting at the bottom of the ocean near Hampton Roads. The significance of this battle was that it revolutionized naval warfare by showing that wooden ships are ineffective against ironclads. -
Shiloh
From April 6-7, 1862, the Battle of Shiloh was the second major engagement in the American Civil War. Fought in southwestern Tennessee, it ended with the victory of the Union, however, it came with the cost of many lives on both sides. As the battle took place in the woods with inexperienced soldiers, more than 23,000 people were killed. The significance of this battle was that it granted Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s army to be an operation in Mississippi Valley. -
Antietam
On September 17, 1862, the Battle of Antietam, also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg in the South, took place near Sharpsburg, Maryland. In the history of the American Civil War, it is known to be one of the bloodiest days. The reason behind the title was a mixture of unwise tactics/horrible decisions along with advanced technology. In short, it marked Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s first invasion of the Northern States. -
Fredericksburg
On December 11-15, 1862, the Battle of Fredericksburg took place near Fredericksburg, Virginia. The significance of this battle was that it was the lowest point for the Union army. It was a great loss for the North as the battle was a major defeat. While the South had celebrated their victory, President Lincoln was in a position of great political pressure for not ending the war quickly. -
Emancipation Proclamation
On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The significance of this was that it allowed black men to serve in the Union army. Within, it stated “all persons held as slaves” within the rebellious states “are, and henceforward shall be free.” The Confederacy was a bit troubled as they had expected the English and French government to assist them, however, the crusade against slavery had made European involvement impossible. -
Chancellorsville
From April 30, 1863 - May 6, 1863, near the village of Chancellorsville, the Battle of Chancellorsville was fought as a major battle in the American Civil War. The battle is known to be significant for the Confederacy as it was a huge victory for them because they ruined the Union’s plan to invade Richmond. However, the Battle of Chancellorsville is also known for the battle where Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was fatally injured. -
Vicksburg
The Battle of Vicksburg, or the Siege of Vicksburg, signified an important victory for the Union as it gave them control over the Mississippi River. For the Confederacy, it was a major loss as not only did it lead to the Confederate splitting, the battle came to an end right after the Battle of Gettysburg and so, the events are known as the turning points in the Civil War. The battle also took 47 days from May 18 to July 4, 1863. -
Gettysburg
On July 1363, the Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania is signified for being the turning point in the Civil War. When the Army of Potomac was too weak to pursue the Confederates, Lee retreated his army out of the North, never to return. With over 165,000 soldiers participating, after three days of the war, it ended with the casualties of 23,000 in for the Union and 28,000 for the Confederate. -
Atlanta Campaign
On September 2, 1864, an important series of battle took place in Georgia. The Union gained a victory as General William T. Sherman captured Atlanta Georgia. The significance of the Atlanta Campaign was that his troops cut off supplies that were essential to the Confederate which ultimately weakened them. -
Battle of Nashville
On December 15-16, 1864, the Battle of Nashville, Tennessee takes place. The battle signified the last major battle in the Western Theater which was a massive victory for the Union. It also marked how close the fall of the Confederacy was as it was only a matter of time before they surrendered. -
Appomattox
On April 9, 1865, around the town of Appomattox Court House, Virginia, it signified the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee to the Union General Ulysses S. Grant. With General Lee having around 27,000 soldiers compared to the nearly 63,000 troops of the Union, the Confederate-held their ground but ultimately the generals ended up meeting at the Appomattox Courthouse to discuss the surrender. This was an important event as it highlighted a necessary factor for the end of the Civil War. -
Lincoln assassination
On April 15, 1865, at Petersen House, Washington D.C., the sixteenth president of the United States of America was assassinated. Abraham Lincoln was shot in the head by a Confederate John Wilkes Booth where he died the next morning. The main significance that grew out of President Lincoln’s death was a dramatic change in the Reconstruction era with the rights and handlement of African American slaves. -
Battle of Palmito Ranch
From May 12-13, 1865, the Battle of Palmito Ranch, or also known as the Battle of Palmito Hills is fought. This battle is significant because to some criteria, it is regarded as the final battle of the American Civil War. In other words, it was the final clash between the Union and the Confederate in which some label it as a post-Civil War encounter.
