-
Period: to
Crisis of the Union: Civil War and the Reconstruction (1850-1870)”
-
Fugitive Slave Act
This act was passed between the Southern states. It's significant because it helps capture or return runaway slaves. This law penalized people who'd interfere with the capture of a runaway slave which most Northerns didn't agree with.
An individual - Henry Clay who was once a Senator and part of the House of Representatives for the state of Kentucky. He is significant because he helped to come to a compromise, holding off bloodshed for a little longer. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
“Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” is a novel written by Harriet Stowe, one of the first publicized accounts of slavery. This is important because slaves are usually depicted as dirty, inferior beings but this novel proves otherwise providing support for abolitionists. Harriet Beecher Stowe is a female writer, who also taught at Western Female Insitute. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act Passed
The Kansas-Nebraska Act outlawed slavery in certain states/territories. This is significant because having a compromise between the North and South no longer seemed possible for it stopped the expansion of slavery. After this law went into effect, violence broke out, hence why it was nicknamed, “bleeding Kansas."
Senator Stephan Douglas of Illinois believed in sovereignty and that it was up to the states to decide whether or not to abolish slavery. -
Dred Scott Case
The trial took place on 2/11/1856
The Dred Scott versus Sandford case questioned property rights and the right of fundamental freedom from enslavement. This is significant because it encouraged other supporters of antislavery to seek freedom for African Americans, which in turn helped bring about the Civil War.
Individual - Dred Scott and his wife Harriet Scott, were enslaved African Americans who fought for their freedom, playing a huge role in civil rights history. -
South Carolina Withdraws from the union
The Secession of South Carolina from the federal union in 1860 increased hostility between non-slave and slave states. Even though South Carolina had no legal or justified right to secede, this caused other states to withdraw as well, soon leading to the first battle of the Civil War.
John McQueen, Milledge Bonham, William Boyce, and John Adams made up the House of Representatives for South Carolina. They were responsible for writing a letter declaring their sovereignty from the Federal union. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
The attack on Fort Sumter is significant because it marked the beginning of the Civil War. This resulted in confederate victory and soon after both sides called for troops.
Individuals - Union Major Robert Anderson called for surrender and Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard was a part of the Confederate Cabinet who decided to attack -
1st Battle of Bull Run
This battle took place in Northern Virginia, making it a significant location because Manassas was an important part of the railroad. In addition, it was the first battle fought on land, which resulted in another confederate victory. Individual- Robert E. Lee was the commander of the Northern Virginia army. -
Battle of Fort Henry
This battle took place in Western Tennesee and it was the first battle won for the Union side. It also fought in order to gain control of the rivers and supply lines.
Individual- Ulysses S. Grant was responsible for leading the victory against the Confederate troops. -
Emancipation
This is possibly the most significant event during the Crisis of the union because President Lincoln announced all former slaves be free. Although, this freedom promised largely depended on the victory of the union. It may have not ended slavery right away but it black men into the Union army.
Individual- President Abraham Lincoln which is the person who issued this proclamation -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg took place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, with possibly the largest number of casualties. This battle was the war's turning point for the Union stopped the Confederate's attempt to invade the North (Battle History | Gettysburg PA, n.d.). Individual- Major General George Meade led the attack against Confederate General Robert Lee. -
Gettysburg Address
His speech was given at the cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on November 19, 1863. The reason for this speech was because of the battle of Gettysburg and his idea was to tell those who are worth dying for and that living up to it will be carried on the work of those who protect.
Edward Everett was invited by Lincoln to speak along with him at Gettysburg National Cemetery. His purpose was to deliver the formal dedication speech on the platform near the cemetery. -
Lincoln's Election
Abraham Lincoln was re-elected in 1864 as the President, He ran the National Union banner against his former top civil war general, candidate George B, McClellan. (270towin.2022) -
Freedmen's Bureau Act
The act was to help provide food, shelter, clothing, medical services, and land to displaced southerners, including newly freed African Americans. It wanted to help freed people having established schools, purchase la -
Assassination of Lincoln
President Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth, it happened during a special performance of the comedy, “Our American Cousin”. The way he was shot was directly behind his head, John was in the presidential box where he had a derringer pistol which he amid and fired. (Library of Congress)
An Individual: John Wilkes Booth was known as an actor but forever be known as the man who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. -
The End of Civil War
The Civil War ended by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant the head of the Union Army at Court House in Virginia, but the Civil War did not end until 16 months later. In case its official end when President Andrew Johnson, was the vice President until the assassination of President Lincoln declared a formal end to the war.
Gen. Robert E. Lee was known as an American and Confederate soldier, best known as a commander of the Confederate state’s army. -
13th Amendement Ratified
Officially ending the institution of slavery is ratified. Because of this statement, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” It made the greatest change wrought by the Civil War which was noted in the constitution. (History.com.2022) -
Civil Rights Act of 1866
It was to declare all persons born in the United States to be citizens without getting looked upon as being of a different race or color or having the previous condition of slavery and involuntary servitude. The main purpose of the act was to protect the civil rights of African-Americans in the wake of the civil war. (Ballotpedia.org) -
Reconstruction Acts of 1867
The reason this act came alive was to outline the terms and the representation of the rebel states. This bill divided the former Confederate state besides Tennessee, also five military districts. Each of the states must write a new constitution also be approved by a majority of votes and include African-Americans too. -
14th Amendement
The Amendment has to do with the granting of citizenship to all persons born and naturalized in the United States which includes formerly enslaved people, in that case, is officially adopted into the U.S Constitution. (History.com.2022) -
15th Amendement Ratified
This Amendment was to help African-American men finally have the right to vote in the U.S. Also wanted to have a reality check that shows the struggle for equal rights for African-Americans to be fully American. (National Archives)