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Uncle Tom's Cabin
This novel is well known for revealing the injustices there was in slavery, and eventually laying down groundwork for the civil war. This book unveiled the brutalities of slavery and changed many peoples views in the North. While in the South it was extremely controversial, and was hated by most people. Which would eventually lead to the Civil War, with of course many other factors put in place. -
Harpers Ferry Raid
This event would be significant to the Civil War as the actions placed during this date could be yet another spark to starting the war. John Brown- avid abolitionist- along with his supporters started a slave raid: hoping to seize weapons from the US Armory and to free slaves. While this did not happen, and eventually lead to the deaths of himself and his supporters: it did ignite some sort of uprise against slavery in the North. -
Abraham Lincoln is elected as president
This is well known as another cause for the civil war, as Lincoln was well known to be a man that wanted to put a end to slavery. This would rile up the southern states, as much of their work and profit came from slavery itself. -
Confederacy is formed
After Abraham Lincoln was elected, it felt like the last straw for the South. This is because of the same reasons stated before and along with many others problems the South had with this, They wanted to be recognized as their own country, while nobody outside of the US saw them as that. This would eventually lead to a war, as Abraham wanted to keep the union of this country together. -
Fort Sumter
The battle's known to be the start of the civil war, and one with no deaths. With a 34 hour battle between Major Robert Anderson’s army, and P.G.T. Beauregard’s troops, Major Robert Anderson eventually surrendered the fort and was evacuated the next day. -
Bull Run
This battle is known as the first major battle of the Civil War. With the Union being lead by Irvin McDowell and the Confederates being lead by P.G.T. Beauregard, the battle had begun. The Union held themselves together “like a stone wall”, but eventually had to flee back to the safety of Washington. -
Fort Donelson
This battle was significant because it ended with a Union victory. The battle was between Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner: resulting in a major win for the Union and major loss for the Confederates. It opened up northern Alabama, and caused the opposite for the Confederates -
Battle of the Ironclads
These two ironclads were quite significant for their monumental clash: making quite a mark in naval warfare itself. Ironclads are typical warships- made of wood and such- but with a protective outer armor of iron- so that cannonballs couldn’t penetrate it too easily. One of these ironclads called was called The Merrimack, and the other being The Monitor. They showed their value for battle as both parties had to leave due to cannonballs not being able to sink each other ships. -
Shiloh
The area this battle was located in was crucial for the Union, as if without it they wouldn’t be able to target one of the lasting areas the Confederates controlled along the Mississippi river. This battle also took one of the Confederates most important leaders: Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston. The battle was between Ulysses S. Grant and Albert Sidney Johnston armies, starting right at day break. -
Antietam
This battle is well known for ending in a draw. With the fighting being between Maj. Gen. George McClellan’s army and Gen. Robert E. Lee’s forces, there was a lot of chaos. With multiple assaults each side, trying to break through each others defenses, it lead too both sides left too bloodied too advance. A total of 22,717 casualties were brought in, and Lee withdrew his army, giving the Union a technical “win.” -
Fredericksburg
This battle is well known for being one of the more pivotal victories for the South. The battle was held between commanders Ambrose E. Burnside and Robert E. Lee and their corps. During the battle, the union decided to attack straight on, to surprise their enemy. And while it did surprise them to a extent, the Confederates were prepared, Union soldiers being mowed down by Confederate fire. This would lead to many Union casualties and the Confederate’s victory. -
The Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation is significant for the fact it was a order by Abraham Lincoln himself to free the slaves: unfortunately, not many were immediately freed. Of course, the South did not like this, as slavery was one of the primary reasons of why they’re fighting this war in the first place.On the other hand, most northern people were happy, while there were some that thought this action would make the war longer. -
Chancellorsville
This battle is well known for the South's victory: especially with the small size of an army they had compared to the Union's army. This victory was mostly due to General Robert E. Lee’s impressive tactics, as when being attacked from the Union (lead by General Hooker) instead of retreating, he decided to split the forces into two. This would obviously play in his favor in the end, gaining a victory for the Confederates. -
Vicksburg
This was yet again, another crucial win for the Union, as it was another location on the Mississippi River. This river is so important to each side, as it would cut off the Confederates supplies from the West, if taken over. And after a long month of fighting between Ulysses S. Grant and John C. Pemberton, the Union eventually won: being a great turning point in favor for the Union. -
Gettysburg
This battle is known for being one with the highest amount of casualties. Due to the two opposing sides (One being lead by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and the other by Maj. Gen. George G. Meade) colliding at the town Gettysburg, it had started the most gruesome battle during this war. This would result in 51,000 casualties on both sides of the battle -
The Gettysburg Address
This speech is known for being one of the most important speeches in American history. The speech addressed one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War, dedicating it to the lives lost during the battle, and invoking the importance of their sacrifices -
Spotsylvania Court House
This battle was well known to end in a draw, and also starting the eventual end to the civil war. The battle was between Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee, with the Union pushing the Confederates quite deep into Virginia: showing how Grant was committed to destroying Lee’s army. In the end, the Union had a considerable amount of casualties compared to the Confederacy, but Grant had a lot more coming, and was hoping they’d be able to wear Lee’s down through attrition. -
Cold Harbor
This battle is significant as it was one of the last major wins for the General Robert E. Lee. With the battle being between Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Gen. Robert E. Lee: it was quite bloody. The Union faced a major amounts of casualties compared to the Confederates: leading to their eventual retreat. -
Appomattox
This battle is well known for General Robert E. Lee’s surrender towards the Union, and being the end of fighting in the Civil War. Even when being surrounded by Union corps, Lee kept resisting surrender towards them until he had no where else to turn. In the end, Lee’s army was disbanded and triggered many other surrenders across the south. -
Abraham Lincoln’s Assassination
At the Ford’s Theatre booth, Lincoln expecting to watch a comedy with his wife and guests, he expected himself to be safe: leaving himself to be unguarded. This would end up to be a poor choice, as a man named John Wilkes Booth and a group of other conspirators have been planning his assassination since March of that year. Unfortunately, the man was easily able to enter the theatre, shooting Lincoln in the head, causing a great wave of mourning across the nation.
