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Republican Party is formed
The Republican party was formed at one of the anti-slavery Whigs meetings. The anti-slavery Whigs had discussed creating a new party. This would later lead Lincoln, who represented the Republican Party, to be elected president over the Democratic Party. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act passed
The Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed by the U.S Congress. People in both Kansas and Nebraska were given the opportunity to choose whether or not they wanted slavery to be allowed in their borders. -
Battle of Shiloh
The Union was able to break through the Confederate interior. The South began facing complications when they lost their general and weren't able to advance to the Mississippi in order to block the Union. This led to a victory for the Union. -
Abraham Lincoln elected president
Abraham Lincoln became the 16th president of the United States. Since the start, Lincoln always wanted to avoid spreading slavery so once he became president his plan was to keep his word. -
South Carolina votes to secede from the United States
Once Lincoln won the election in 1860, there were different reactions. South Carolina became the first state to secede from the union. Lincoln did not want this to happen, but nothing would change their decision. -
Lincoln suspends habeas corpus
Abraham Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus in order for the military to have the power needed in order to quiet rebels. With this, they were able to arrest anyone who they thought could be threatening to the military. -
First Battle of Bull Run is fought
Both the Union and Confederate soldiers fight near Manassas Junction, Virginia. The Battle of Manassas is the name given to the First Battle of Bull Run. This was also the first major land battle for the American Civil War. -
Jefferson Davis Elected President Of The Confederacy
People who were against Lincoln and were from a Southern state would be the ones in favor of the Confederate States of America. Davis was already a temporary president, but once elected he would serve for six years. -
The Merrimack and the Monitor fight of the Virginia coast
This is also known as the Battle of Hampton Roads. One significant thing about this event was it was the first warships. -
Robert E. Lee is named commander of the Army of Northern Virginia
The Army of Northern Virginia was the new name given to the Confederate Army of the Potomac when Robert E. Lee was in command. But before he was commander, he had many losses but he planned on changing that. -
Battle of Antietam
This was considered one of the deadliest one-day battles. Robert E. Lee, Confederate General, had a plan against the Union in order in order to seize the north. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Confederate Army attacks at Fredericksburg, Virginia. They defeat the Union army. The Considerate Army had a well-thought-out plan and made it impossible for the Union to get close to them. This all led to the deaths of many Union soldiers. -
Emancipation Proclamation is announced
Abraham Lincoln is most known for issuing the Emancipation Proclamation. This important document allowed all slaves to finally be free. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
Robert E. Lee received a big victory for the Confederacy. Although he received a victory, the battle is also famous since General Thomas Jackson was wounded. -
Battle of Gettysburg
This was one of the most famous battles because of the cost, location, but most importantly Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. The Union won against the Confederate army. General George G. Meade was the leader of the Union, while General Robert E. Lee's was the leader of the Confederate army. -
Confederates surrender at Vicksburg
The Union receives one of its successful victories. The army had great defenses and the army was well prepared this time around. Pemberton ended up surrendering after a major defeat. -
New York City draft riots
Working-class New Yorkers were angry over a new federal draft law which caused a riot to start. Many were killed if not severely injured but the main targets were African Americans. -
Lincoln gives his Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address is Lincoln's most known speech. It was about the Union soldiers who sacrificed their life. He dedicated a cemetery in Pennsylvania for them. -
Confederate forces fire on Fort Sumter
This was the beginning of the American Civil War. It lasted two days and finished with the Confederate winning. The Union was outnumbered and didn't have enough supplies to win, so it finished with them surrendering. -
Atlanta is captured
The Union Army went to take over Atlanta which was a Confederate base. The Union was cutting their supply lines and they ended up gaining control since the Confederates had to retreat. -
Abraham Lincoln defeats George McClellan to win re-election
Lincoln's opponent was George McClellan. He wasn't sure if he would win the reelection, but when votes came in, he was shocked. Abraham Lincoln won with the popular vote of 55%. That was equivalent to 212-21 in electoral votes. -
Sherman begins his March to the Sea
General William T. Sherman, for the Union Army, began lighting Atlanta. This was the start of his expedition in Georgia. -
Congress passes the 13th Amendment
Once the United States Congress passed the 13th Amendment, slavery was abolished. The House of Representatives' final vote was 119 to 56 with Lincoln signing. -
Freedmen’s Bureau is created
An act that provided shelter, food, medical attention, and clothing to displaced Southerns as well as freed African Americans. The Freedmen’s Bureau also gave many more opportunities in the coming years. -
Lincoln gives his second inaugural address
Lincoln's second inaugural address was given one month before his passing. In his speech, he spoke about having mutual forgiveness from both the North and the South. He wanted to reach forgiveness on both sides and not let it define the country. -
Richmond falls to the Union Army
General Ulysses S. Grant had been trying to break into the city but was unsuccessful for a long period of time. He launched a full offensive attack on General Lee's Confederate army at Five Forks on April 1. On the next day, an attack along the St. Petersburg line led to the fall of the Confederates at the hand of the Union. -
Richmond becomes the capital of the Confederacy
By moving the capital to Richmond Virginia, it secured the newly seceded state as officially part of the Confederacy. -
Robert E. Lee surrenders at Appomattox
The American Civil War ended once Robert E. Lee and his 28,000 men surrender to the Union. Lee had no escape and surrendering was his last option. Both generals met and came to an agreement that was then written on paper. -
President Lincoln Assassination
President Lincoln went to the theater with his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, and an army officer who came with his wife, too. They were watching the play when John Wilkes Booth shoots the back of Lincoln's head. He quickly leaves the scene and so does Abraham Lincoln a few moments later. A doctor tried to save President Lincoln, but there was nothing he could do. Abraham Lincoln passed away the following day. -
John Wilkes Booth is killed
John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Lincoln. Twelve days after killing the president he was tracked by Union soldiers and killed. At the time when he killed Lincoln, he was a famous actor.