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Civil War Timeline

  • Harriet Tubman and the underground railroad

    Harriet Tubman and the underground railroad
    Harriet Tubman was an escaped slave woman who helped others escape and get to Canada where they were free. She had a system of those that would help her called the underground railroad. These were anti slave sympathizers that would give them food and shelter. Once the slaves got to canada they were free and could make an honest living working. She first escaped in 1849.
  • The Kansas Nebraska Act

    The Kansas Nebraska Act
    Basically just undid the Missouri compromise and made it so that Kansas and Nebraska could join as territories.
  • John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry

    John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry
    Both the Union and the Confederacy wanted to control Harpers Ferry because it was an important meeting point of the railroads and a controlling spot. This argument was fixed when the anti slavery and abolitionist John Brown and his mob came and destroyed it. They were caught and John Brown was hanged
  • Election of 1860

    Election of 1860
    This was a very divided and controversial election, showing greatly the separation in the US right before the civil war. This was when Abe Lincoln won as president and the South felt forced to split off.
  • Confederate States of America is formed

    Confederate States of America is formed
    Shortly after Lincoln was elected POTUS South Carolina announced that the US was dissolved and seceded. Six other states followed and they formed the Confederate states.
  • Battle of Fort Sumter

    Battle of Fort Sumter
    Fort sumter in South Carolina was surrounded by the Confederates and they said that if supplies were brought they would fire, if not they would starve them out. Lincoln decided to send supplies and the fort finally had to surrender after 34 hours of battle.
  • Civil War Begins

    Civil War Begins
    The war started when the Confederates Secede and start attacking forts. President Lincoln is forced to declare war and the civil war begins.
  • Battle of Bull Run/Manassas

    Battle of Bull Run/Manassas
    This was the first real battle of the Civil War. The union was over confident and this was supposed to be an easy battle, so much so that the townspeople brought picnics to watch the start and end of the Civil War. Instead the Confederates proved their point and kicked the Unions butts, when they tried to retreat they were trapped by all the people there watching. In the end the confederates under General Thomas Jackson won.
  • Jefferson Davis elected

    Jefferson Davis elected
    Jefferson Davis was elected the head of the Confederates. He had no one opposing him and he ran without any conflicts. He was born in kentucky and had served in the Mexican war. He also had a sick neck beard.
  • Emancipation Proclamation

    Emancipation Proclamation
    Unlike what most people think this proclamation did not set all slaves free. This was a proclamation that president Lincoln wrote proclaiming that slaves in the south were free. Of course the confederates didn't listen because they thought they were a separate country, but what it did was make it very clear that this is what the war is about.
  • Gettysburg Battle

    Gettysburg Battle
    This was the largest and bloodiest battle of the civil war. Fought in Gettysburg Pennsylvania, it was an important win for the Union because it stopped Lee's plan of invading the north.
  • Abraham Lincoln Assassination

    Abraham Lincoln Assassination
    Even after Lee's surrender there were still people that believed the south could rise again. One of these was John Wilkes Booth, he believed that without abraham lincoln it would be easier so he snuck into the presidents booth at the theatre and shot him in the head. President Lincoln died the next morning.
  • Sherman’s March to the Sea

    Sherman’s March to the Sea
    General William Sherman was entrusted with the job of getting the North a win. They did this by destroying the south's railroads and industries. He won because he practiced total war and was willing to do anything to win. Because of this they were able to get a W.
  • Ulysses S. Grant Appomatox courthouse

    Ulysses S. Grant Appomatox courthouse
    This was the end of the war!! Ulysess S. Grant and his troops broke through the southern defenses and surrounded Lee's army at the courthouse in virginia.
  • 13th amendment

    13th amendment
    This states that all slaves are free, though there is still heavy segregation.
  • 14th Ammendment

    14th Ammendment
    This gave all slaves equal rights to everyone.
  • 15th Ammendment

    15th Ammendment
    Black people can now vote!