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Civil War Timeline-Michalek
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Cooper Institute Speech
On this date, Abraham Lincoln gave his Cooper Institute speech against the spread of slavery. -
The Democratic Party Convention
From April 23 to May 3, the Democratic Party convention takes place in Charleston, South Carolina. Northerners and Southerners split over the discussion of Stephen A. Douglas as their presidential nominee. -
Lincoln Elected President
Lincoln was elected the 16th president of the United States on this date. He was a member of the Republican party. -
South Carolina Convention
On this date, South Carolina legislature called a convention to discuss the possible decision of seceding from the Union. Also, U.S. Senators of South Carolina resign on the same day. -
South Carolina Secedes
On December 20, 1860, South Carolina seceded from the Union. South Carolina was the first state to break away from the Union. -
Jefferson Davis Inaugurated as Provisional President
On February 18, 1861, Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as a provisional president of the Confederacy. -
Lincoln's Inauguration
On this day, Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as president. By this time, many southern states such as Texas, Mississippi, Florida, and more have seceded from the Union. -
Fort Sumter
On this day, Fort Sumter is fired upon by Confederates in Charleston Harbor. One day later, Fort Sumter surrenders. -
Confederate Capital
On this day, Confederate legislatures voted to move the Confederate capital to Richmond, Virginia. -
First Battle of Bull Run
On this day, the first Battle of Bull Run took place. This battle was the first major battle in the Civil War. It was a Confederate victory. -
Jefferson Davis Elected President
On this day, Jefferson Davis was elected to a six-year term as the president of the Confederacy. At this time, multiple battles such as, the Battle of Rich Mountain and the Battle of Wilson's Creek have already taken place between the Union and Confederate soldiers. -
Fort Henry and Donelson Taken
On February 6, 1862, Union forces led by U.S. Grant take Fort Henry on the Tennessee River. Later, on February 16. 1862, Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River is taken by Grant as well. -
McClellan Replaced
On this day, Lincoln replaced McClellan, the leader of the Union army, with U.S. Grant. McClellan was relieved of duty for being too hesitant and indecisive. -
Battle of Shiloh
From April 6 to April 7, the Battle of Shiloh took place. The battle took place at a church called Shiloh in which U.S. Grant gathered his troops near. Many of his men were killed. Both the Union and the Confederates faced great losses. However, the Union troops were considered the victors. -
Robert E. Lee
On this day, Robert E. Lee takes command of the Confederate army in Richmond. He will be the reason why the Confederacy stands a chance against the Union. -
Battle of Antietam
On this day, the Battle of Antietam took place in Sharpsburg, Maryland. This was the bloodiest single-day battle of the Civil War and it was considered a Union victory. -
Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation
On this day, Lincoln issued a preliminary proclamation that he would order the freeing of all slaves by January 1, 1863. -
Emancipation Proclamation
On this day, the Emancipation Proclamation took effect. This technically freed all of the slaves in the North and South of the United States. -
Stonewall Jackson Dies
On this day, Stonewall Jackson died. He was the famous general who took part in the Battle of Bull Run. He guaranteed the Confederates victory at the Battle of Bull Run at the time. -
Battle of Gettysburg
From July 1 to July 3, the Battle of Gettysburg took place. This Union victory was the most important battle in the Civil War. -
Vicksburg Surrenders
On this day, Confederate troops in Vicksburg, Mississippi surrendered to U.S. Grant and his Union troops. This resulted in successfuly dividing up the Mississippi River. -
Gettysburg Address
On this day, Abraham Lincoln gave one of his most famous speeches. In the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln acknowledges the losses on both sides since the Civil War. He also promotes equality. -
Virginia Campaign
Trying to end the war, Grant marched to Richmond, the Confederate capital, with 120,000 troops. As Grant heads south with his troops, they got involved in many battles with the Confederate troops. -
Battle of Spotsylvania
From May 8 to May 12, the Battle of Spotsylvania took place. The generals involved were General Grant of the Union and General Lee of the Confederacy. Although Grant loses more troops than Lee, Lee is forced to retreat. -
Battle of Cold Harbor
From June 1 to June 3, the Battle of Cold Harbor took place. This was a great loss for the Union. Due to Grant's mistakes, 7,000 Union troops were killed. -
Lincoln's Second Term
On this day, Lincoln was elected for his second term as president of the United States. He was a member of the Republican Party. -
Sherman's "March to the Sea"
From November 15 to December 21, General Sherman led Union troops from Atlanta, Georgia to the Savannah's port, causing destruction to the South on his way. -
The 13th Amendment
On January 31, 1865, the 13th Amendment was passed, finally putting an end to slavery. -
Fall of Richmond
On April 2, 1865, the Union army captured the Confederate capital Richmond, Virginia. -
Siege of Petersburg Ends
On this day, Grant's army got through Confederate lines and continued to march to Richmond to end the Civil War. The Siege of Petersburg took months before the Union broke through Confederate lines. -
Lee Surrenders
On this day, General Lee surrendered to General Grant at Appomattox. The Civil War ended and the Union was the victor. -
Lincoln's Assassination
On this day, Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a Southerner against the idea of the abolishment of slavery. Booth is eventually caught and killed.
