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Republican Party is formed
The Republican Party was formed to oppose the spread of slavery into western territories. It attracted anti-slavery activists, former Whigs, and Free Soilers. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act passed
The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed territories to decide on slavery by popular sovereignty, leading to violent conflicts known as "Bleeding Kansas." This act repealed the Missouri Compromise. -
Abraham Lincoln Elected President
Abraham Lincoln was elected as the 16th president of the United States, representing the Republican Party. His election prompted southern states to secede from the Union. -
South Carolina Votes to Secede from the United States
South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union, leading to the formation of the Confederate States of America. -
Confederate forces fire on Fort Sumter
The Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in South Carolina marked the start of the Civil War. This battle forced Union forces to surrender the fort. -
Richmond becomes the capital of the Confederacy
Richmond, Virginia, was designated the capital of the Confederacy, becoming a strategic target for Union forces. -
First Battle of Bull Run is fought
The First Battle of Bull Run was the first major battle of the Civil War, resulting in a Confederate victory and proving that the war would be long and costly. -
Jefferson Davis Elected President of the Confederacy
Jefferson Davis was elected as the President of the Confederate States of America, leading the South during the Civil War. -
The Merrimac and the Monitor fight off the Virginia coast
The battle between the ironclad ships USS Monitor and CSS Virginia marked a new era in naval warfare, ending in a draw but demonstrating the effectiveness of ironclads. -
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh in Tennessee was one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War, with heavy casualties on both sides. It ended in a Union victory. -
Robert E. Lee is named commander of the Army of Northern Virginia
General Robert E. Lee was appointed commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, leading Confederate forces to many victories but ultimately surrendering in 1865. -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with over 22,000 casualties. It ended in a strategic Union victory and led to the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg resulted in a significant Confederate victory, with Union forces suffering heavy losses. This battle demonstrated the challenges of attacking fortified positions. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg was a significant Confederate victory marked by high Union casualties. The Union's frontal assaults against fortified Confederate positions resulted in a bloody defeat. -
Emancipation Proclamation is announced
President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all slaves in Confederate-held territory to be free. This shifted the war's focus to ending slavery. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville was a major Confederate victory, despite the loss of General Stonewall Jackson. It is considered General Robert E. Lee's greatest military achievement. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville was General Robert E. Lee's greatest victory, despite losing General Stonewall Jackson. It demonstrated Lee's tactical brilliance but came at a high cost. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, ending in a significant Union victory. It was the war's deadliest battle and marked the last Confederate invasion of the North. -
Confederates surrender at Vicksburg
The Confederate surrender at Vicksburg gave the Union control of the Mississippi River, splitting the Confederacy in two and marking a major turning point in the war. -
Lincoln gives his Gettysburg Address
President Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, a brief but powerful speech that emphasized the principles of human equality and the importance of preserving the Union.