-
Period: to
Civil War Timespan
The timespan of the events of the American Civil War -
Union Square Address
Abraham Lincoln gave an anti-slavery speech in New York, turning him into a major contender for the 1860 election. -
Abraham Lincoln's Campaign Continues
Abraham Lincoln visits children at a Sunday school in the country's worst slum, gaining him popularity. -
Abraham Lincoln's Nomination
Abraham Lincoln is nominated as the Presidential candidate for the Republican Party in May 1860. -
James Buchanan's Impeachment
President James Buchanan, who ignored the secession crisis, is almost impeached in June 1860. -
Stephen Douglas's Nomination
Lincoln's long-time rival, Stephen Douglas, is nominated as the Presidential candidate for the Democratic Party in June 1860. -
Abraham Lincoln's Election
Abraham Lincoln defeats Stephen Douglas and is elected the 16th president of the United States in November 1860. -
South Carolina Militia
South Carolina raises an army of ten thousand men following both of their senators resigning. -
James Buchanan's State of the Union
James Buchanan addresses Congress and politely asks everyone to get along. -
South Carolina Secesion
In December 1860, the state of South Carolina is the first state to officially withdraw from the United States. -
Crittenden Compromise
A proposed series of amendments to the Constitution that would make slavery permanent. -
Mississippi Secession
In January 1861, the state of Mississippi officially withdraws from the United States. -
Texas Secession
In February 1861, Texas officially withdraws from the Union. -
CSA Formed
The Confederate States of America is officially formed in February 1861 with seven member states. -
Abraham Lincoln's Inauguration
Abraham Lincoln officially took the office of President of the United States in March 1861. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
Confederate cannons are fired at Union held Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. -
Virginia Secession
In April 1861, Virginia joins the Confederacy and holds its capital, Richmond. -
Robert E. Lee's Appointment
West Point graduate Robert E. Lee is appointed head of the Confederate Army in April 1861. -
Tennessee Secession
Tennessee joins the Confederacy in June 1861, the last state to do so. -
Battle of Philippi
The Battle of Philippi saw the first casualties of the war, and was the first Union victory. -
First Battle of Bull Run
Confederate troops intercept and defeat the Union army marching toward Richmond. -
Battle of Fort Henry
Ulysses S. Grant of the Union captures Fort Henry in Tennessee with minimal casualties. -
Battle of Fort Donelson
Ulysses S. Grant captures Fort Donelson in Tennessee, inflicting over 15000 casualties. -
Battle of Shiloh
Ulysses S. Grant wins a Pyrrhic victory at Shiloh Church in Tennessee, both sides realize that using cover is a good idea. -
Capture of New Orleans
Union Admiral David Farragut lands troops in New Orleans, capturing the city. -
Battle of Seven Pines
Union General George McClellan's advance to Richmond is halted in stalemate battle only six miles from the city. -
Battle of Memphis
A Union naval victory expanding the Union controlled portion of the Mississippi River, only on Union sailor was killed. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
Robert E. Lee attacks and defeats an unprepared Union army outside Washington, DC. -
Battle of Antietam
George McClellan defeats Robert E. Lee, but allows Lee to escape; both sides take extreme casualties, making it the most tragic day in American history. -
George McClellan is Fired
Lincoln fires General George McClellan for not advancing and being overly cautious. He had "The Slows". -
Battle of Fredericksburg
McClellan's replacement, Ambrose Burnside, is defeated by Robert E. Lee en route to Richmond. -
Emancipation Proclamation
President Lincoln declares that all slaves in the South are now free, re-framing the purpose of the war and allowing Blacks to enlist in the military. -
Battle of Arkansas Post
Union General William Sherman captures Fort Hindman in Arkansas, even though Grant thought it was a bad idea. -
Siege of Vicksburg
General Grant surrounds the city of Vicksburg, the last Confederate city on the Mississippi River. -
Siege of Port Hudson
Union General Nathaniel Banks surrounds Port Hudson, the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Union General George Meade repels Lee's incursion into Pennsylvania, it is considered the turning point of the war. -
Siege of Vicksburg Ends
Vicksburg surrenders to General Grant, giving the Union almost total control over the Mississippi River. -
Siege of Port Hudson Ends
Port Hudson surrenders to General Banks, granting the Union complete control over the Mississippi -
Battle of Chickamauga
This is the first battle fought in Georgia, many more are to come. -
Gettysburg Address
Lincoln delivers a speech at Gettysburg National Cemetery to honor the fallen soldiers. -
Second Battle of Chattanooga
The threat of a two-pronged Union assault forced most of the remaining Confederate forces in Tennessee to leave. -
Battle of the Wilderness
Grant is promoted to be the head of the Union army, and he begins to advance toward Richmond. -
Battle of Resaca
Union General William Sherman chased down the Confederate forces fleeing Tennessee, the battle was inconclusive. -
Lincoln's Second Campaign
Lincoln easily wins the nomination for the newly created National Union party. -
Battle of Kennesaw Mountain
The Confederates from Tennessee defeated Sherman, but were still weak and unable to gain any ground. -
Siege of Atlanta
William Sherman arrives at Atlanta but fails to capture it, so he besieges the city. -
George McClellan's Nomination
Former General George McClellan is nominated as the Candidate for the Democratic Party. -
Siege of Atlanta Ends
After over a month, Atlanta finally submits to Sherman. -
Lincoln's Second Election
Lincoln defeats George McClellan because Union soldiers are allowed to vote with mail-in ballots. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
Sherman leaves his supply line to chase down Confederate General Johnston, burning down everything in his way. -
Battle of Savannah
Sherman's March to the Sea ends upon the capture of Savannah, when Sherman reaches the sea. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment, freeing all slaves, is passed by Congress in January 1865. -
Lincoln's Second Inauguration
Lincoln continues to be the President. -
Siege of Petersburg
After many months, Grant defeats Lee at Petersburg, near Richmond. -
Capture of Richmond
Grant marches into Richmond, finally capturing the Confederate capital. -
Surrender at Appomattox
Lee surrenders to Grant at Appomattox Court House, effectively ending the war. -
Lincoln's Assassination
Lincoln is shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre, he dies the next day. -
Andrew Johnson's Inauguration
Vice President Andrew Johnson, who is a white supremacist, takes the oath of office to become President. -
End of the War
The last battle of the war was fought in Palmito Ranch, Texas. -
Veto Override
Congress overrides a presidential veto for the first time to establish the Freedmen's Bureau to aid freed slaves. -
13th Amendment Ratification
The 13th Amendment is ratified in December 1865. -
First Ambulance
The first ambulance, based on those used at Antietam, goes into service. -
Ex parte Milligan
The Supreme Court decides that it is unconstitutional to try civilians in military tribunals. -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 is passed, overriding another veto from Andrew Johnson. -
ASPCA Founded
The ASPCA was founded in New York City in April 1866. -
Judicial Circuits Act
The number of Supreme Court Justices are reduced from 16 to 9. -
Rejoining of Tennessee
Tennessee becomes the first state to rejoin the Union in July 1866. -
Grant's Promotion
Ulysses S. Grant becomes the first five-star general in American history. -
Civil War Officially Ends
Andrew Johnson declares the American Civil War to be over in August 1866. -
Gatling Gun Adoption
The first rapid-fire gun, the Gatling Gun, is adopted by the United States military in August 1866. -
House of Representitives
The Republican Party wins a large majority in the House of Representatives, ensuring that Reconstruction can continue. -
Equal Voting Rights
African American men are granted the right to vote in Washington, DC. -
West Virginia University Established
West Virginia University is established in Morgantown, WV in February 1867. -
Nebraska Becomes a State
Andrew Johnson grants statehood to Nebraska in March 1867. -
Tenure of Office Act
Congress passed a law reducing the power of the President to fire government officials. -
Reconstruction Acts
Congress passes regulations for how the Confederate states will rejoin the Union. -
Alaska Purchase
Russia sells their colony is Alaska to the United States to raise money for their military. -
Kidder Massacre
American Indian warriors from the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes kill 11 American soldiers in Kansas. -
Midway Occupation
The United States takes control of Midway Atoll in the middle of the Pacific, at the end of the Hawaiian island chain. -
Alaska Cession
Russia cedes Alaska to the United States in exchange for 7.2 million dollars. -
Medicine Lodge Treaty
The United States established a number of American Indian reservations in Kansas.