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The Fugitive Slave Act
"This made it a law that runaway slaves found in free states had to be returned to their owners in the south. This made it even more difficult for the Underground Railroad. Now slaves needed to be transported all the way to Canada in order to be safe from being captured again."
Ducksters.com -
Kansas - Nebraska Act
This act gave Kansas citizens the right to vote wether the state should be a slave state or a free state. (Ducksters) -
Raid on Harpers Ferry Arsenal
John Brown was an abolitionist who tried ending slavery. He had an elaborate plan of organizing and arming the slaves in the South so they would revolt and gain their freedom. He did this by taking over the federal weapons arsenal at Harpers Ferry, VA. The first part of the raid was successful, but the slaves never joined the fight like Brown had planned. Brown and his men were surrounded; Brown was captured and hanged on December 2 that year. Brown became a martyr for the abolitionists' cause. -
Abraham Lincoln is Elected President
Abraham Lincoln was from the North and wanted an end to slavery. The Southern states didn't like that he was elected president. They didn't want him making laws that would affect their way of life. -
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina became the first state to secede (leave) the United States to become their own country. Within a couple months Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, Louisiana seceded as well.
ducksters.com -
The Confederacy is Formed
The Southern States that had seceded from the United States form their own country known as the Confederate States of America. Jefferson Davis is their president. -
Abraham Lincoln Becomes President
Abraham Lincoln is now in office and wants to restore the Union. This mean he wants to get all the states back to the same country. -
Civil War Begins
The South attacks Fort Sumter, South Carolina thus starting the Civil War. Not soon after more states secede the United States to join the Confederacy. These include: Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas. (Ducksters.com) -
Union Blockade/ Anaconda Plan
"A blockade meant that they tried to prevent any goods, troops, and weapons from entering the southern states. By doing this, the Union thought they could cause the economy of the Confederate States to collapse. The Union continued to blockade the South throughout the Civil War until the war ended in 1865. The plan was called the Anaconda Plan because, like a snake, the Union meant to constrict the South. They would surround the southern borders, keeping out supplies." (Ducksters) -
The Battle of Bull Run
General McDowell ordered the Union army to attack in the morning. The superior numbers of the Union began to push the Confederates back. One famous part of this battle occurred at Henry House Hill; here is were Confederate Colonel Thomas Jackson and his forces held back the Union troops like a "stone wall". This earned him the name "Stonewall" Jackson. While it looked like the Union would win, the Confederates won the first major battle of the Civil War.
(Ducksters.com) -
Lincoln Issues Emancipation Proclamation
President Lincoln issues an executive order that will free many slaves (depending on the victory of the Union). This proclamation changed the morale of the war and ultimately laid down the groundwork for the 13th amendment.
Emancipation Proclamation -
The Battle of Gettysburg
A three day long battle were on the last day Pickett’s Charge occurred. Over half of Pickett’s men (Confederate) were injured or killed in this attack. General Lee was forced to retreat. This battle was one of the deadliest battles of the Civil War.
The Union didn’t just win this battle but they also began to win the War. -
Gettysburg Address
"President Lincoln attended the dedication of the Soldier's National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. His speech was short and lasted only two minutes. Not much was thought of the speech at the time, but today it is considered one of the greatest speeches ever given. "
(Ducksters.com) -
The Ten-Percent Plan
This was part of Lincoln's plan for reconstruction. This plan specified that a Southern state could be readmitted into the Union once 10% of its voters swore an oath of allegiance to the Union. Any state that was readmitted must make slavery illegal in their state constitution according to this plan. -
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The Reconstruction
"The purpose of the Reconstruction was to help the South become a part of the Union again. Federal troops occupied much of the South during the Reconstruction to insure that laws were followed and that another uprising did not occur. "
(Ducksters.com) -
13th Amendment
On this day the 13th amendment was passed. It abolished slavery and involuntary servitude except as punishment for crime. -
Civil War Ends
"The Civil War finally ended on April 9, 1865 when General Robert E. Lee surrendered at the Appomattox Court House in Virginia. Lincoln wanted the country to heal, forgive, and rebuild. He wanted to be generous to the southern states in helping them during the reconstruction. Unfortunately, he would not live to see the country rebuild." (Ducksters) -
Abraham Lincoln's Assassination
Lincoln was shot in the back of the head at the Ford Theater by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865 but died the next day. As a result, Andrew Johnson became the 17th president of the United States. He was a southern and was more lenient when admitting the Southern States back into the Union. -
Tennessee Readmitted to the Union
On July 24, 1866 Tennessee returned to the Union after the ratification of the 14th amendment. -
The Military Reconstruction Act is Passed
This act applied to all the ex-Confederate states (except TN who had already ratified the 14th amendment) despite President Johnson's veto. It split the states into five military districts, each under the control of a Northern General. It demanded the need for new state delegates and constitutions, ratification of the 14th amendment, and enfranchisement of all citizens, except ex-Confederates, thus provided for the coming of black suffrage.
(https://historyengine.richmond.edu/episodes/view/1431) -
14th Amendment
This amendment granted citizenship to "all persons born born or naturalized in the United States". This included former slaves that were recently freed. It also forbids any state from denying any person "life, liberty or property, without due process of law".
Library of Congress -
15th Amendment
The 15th amendment gave all men the right to vote regardless of their race. (Ducksters)
