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Cotton Gin
The cotton gin was created by Eli Whitney. The cotton gin was designed to be a machine that automated the seperation of cottonseeds from the cotton fiber. The cotton gin made cotton the most profitable production in the South at its time. This invention is important because it made the long-drawn out process of seperating the cotton exponentially faster. Thus, the cottin gin generated much needed profit for the Southern cotton farmers. -
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Civil War Timeline
Timeline of the Civil War -
Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney's patent on the cotton gin did not uphold until 1807. During this time, he lost all hope of gaining a revenue from his invention because many others, after seeing his invention, created similar ones themselves. Eli Whitney, however, did have a business partner, Phineas Miller, who accompanied him across the South to sell and install the cotton gin. The cotton gin created a greater need for slavery in the south to generate the profit the South aimed to achieve. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise involved the whole nation. Missouri, a slave state, wanted to be annexed into the United States. The North feared an unbalance between slave and free states. In order to resolve the matter, the U.S annexed Slave-Missouri and Free- Maine to balance the power. This Compromise was later repealed by the Kansas-Nebraska Act. The document's importance is that it prevented, briefly, the inevitable fall into civil war. -
Missouri Compromise
The compromise was an attempt to mend the growing tear in the nation. The compromise also stated that slavery would not exist in any state above the 36'30' line. -
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad began in the South of the United States. It occurred between 1834 and 1865. The Underground Railroad was a system of transportation for runaway slaves to get to the North and Canada. The most famous conductor of the underground railroad was Harriet Tubman. She was an escaped slave who devoted her life to free other slaves. She transported hundred of slaves through the railroad. The Underground Railroad helped 100,000 slaves reach freedom from the South. -
Underground Railroad
Robert Purvis, a black abolitionist, was at the helm when the railroad was officially organizaed in 1838. The Underground Railroad was important for getting slaves to freedom throughout 29 states and Mexico and Canada. -
Wilmot Proviso
David Wilmot was the creator of the Wilmot Proviso. He was deemed a rascist in his day. However, Wilmot urged strongly against allowing slavery in the ceded Mexican land. His proposition, delivered twice, divided Congress. Wilmot dislike the ideals of the South. He also realized the power that the South would gain if the ceded lands were slave. Wilmot, and other northerners dislike the way President Polk had allowed the South to get favored treatment. The Wilmot Proviso never was executed. -
Compromise of 1850
The main components of the compromise helped the South and the North. They were California entered as a free state, Utah and New Mexico would determine slavery by popular sovereignty, Texas was given 10 million for land, slave trade was disallowed in the District of Columbia, and the Fugitive Slave Act would be enforced in the North. -
Compromise of 1850
Also known as the Great Compromise. The main people of the compromise were Daniel Webster, Stephen Douglas, Henry Clay, and John C. Calhoun. Henry Clay initially proposed the compromise. Daniel Webster delivered Clay's speech, "The Seventh of March". John C. Calhoun did not like the proposal because of his bias for the South. He wanted slavery to be left alone and other additions to the bill. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
The novel is a gripping story that exposes the reader to the true nature of slavery. The book itself is a strong influence on the abolitionist movement. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Stowe was an active abolitionist. The novel was published in 1852. Uncle Tom's Cabin is an anti-slavery book that describes the story of two slaves. This novel has been said to be a major cause of the civil war. The story tells of a slave Uncle Tom in new Orleans and another slave, Eliza who ran away from her captivity. -
Caning of Charles Sumner
The Caning of Charles Sumner was a violent occurence in Congress. Sen. Charles Sumner was from MA. He had a speech that criticized slavery, the South, and Andrew P. Butler. Butler's kinsman from SC, Preston Brooks. Brooks was offended by the remarks about his kinsman and he pondered of how he would avenge his kinsman. During Congress, Brooks aproached Sumner and accused him of libel towards SC. Brooks grew angry and attacked Sumner with his cane. Sumner took two years to recover. -
Dred Scott Decision
The Dred Scott decision is the most famous court case to this day. Dred Scott belonged to Dr. John Emerson. Emerson purchased Scott in Missouri. Later, Emerson moved to Illinois. Illinois was a free state. Later Emerson moved to Wisconsin. Wisconsin prohibited slavery so Scott claimed that he was free. Scott then moved to the South where he claimed he was free. They sued for freedom until the case was brought to the Supreme Court. The Court ruled that Scott was black and he could not sue. -
Lincoln Douglas Debates
The Lincoln- Douglas debates were in Illinois. Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas were both running for senator. The incumbent senator was Stephen Douglas. Douglas and Lincoln were complete opposites. The debates were designed to give the winner the seat in Congress. The most famous aspect of the debates was Douglas's Freeport Doctrine. The Freeport Doctrine stated that the people of states were allowed to decide whether their state would be free or state. The idea was popular sovereignty. -
Raid on Harper's Ferry
The raid on Harper's Ferry was the idea of John Brown. John Brown was an ardent abolitionist. Brown believed that force needed to be used to eradicate slavery. Harper's Ferry was a Federal arsenal. Brown designed a plan with 21 men to seize Harper's Ferry. Brown believed that the slaves would support their raid. Brown and his men took over a small section of the arsenal. However, the slaves did not revolt with them. Marines were sent, led by Robert E. L, who captured and then executed Brown. -
Election of 1860
The election of 1860 was a major event that led to the Civil War. The three major candidates were Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Douglas, and John Breckenridge. The Democratic party was split in this election. Douglas and Breckenridge were Democrats. Douglas who ran by himself did not win very many electoral votes but had a huge popular vote amount. Breckridge finished second in electoral votes. Lincoln was a Republican. Lincoln won the election. Lincoln had a electoral vote amount of 180. -
Formation of the Confederacy
The Confederate States were formed in Feb 1861. The seceded states met in Montgomery, Alabama. The confederacy crafted a constitution that was very similar to the Union's constitution. Changes included a 6 year presidential term. Also, the prohibition of protective tariffs and internal improvements. The president of the Confederacy would be Jefferson Davis. Davis was a former senator and a sec. of war. Alexander Stephens, a senator from GA, was chosen to be vice president. -
Fort Sumpter
Lincoln's hope that the confederacy would fire the first shots was made a reality. Fort sumpter marks the first shots and the beginning of the Civil War. -
Fort Sumpter
Fort Sumpter was a fort in South Carolina that still belonged to the Union at the start of the war. Abraham Lincoln attempted to resupply the fort. The Confederacy no longer wanted a foreign power in its territory. Maj. Robert Anderson was still with the Union and in control of Ft. Sumpter. Gen. P.T. Beauregard was ordered by the Confederacy to take over the fort. The confederacy fired upon the fort until rations ran out and Anderson was forced to surrender. -
1st Battle of Bull Run
The 1st Battle of Bull Run was the first army to army battle. This battle took place near the town of Manasses. The Union's army was marching to Richmond. The Confederacy's army was marching to Washington D.C.. The Union was led by Irvin McDowell. The Confederacy was led by P.T. Beauregard and Joseph Johnston. The Confederacy army was smaller than the Union Army. The Confederacy forced the Union to retreat and won the first battle of the Civil War. -
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh was fought on April 6, 1862 in Shiloh, TN. The battle lasted two days. The Union army was led by Grant and Buell. The Confederacy army was led by P.T. Beauregard and Johnston. The Union army was ambushed but it held off until reinforcements, led by Buell, came to help. On the second day, Grant counterattacked the Confederate army. The rebels retreated to Corinth. This battle placed Grant in the spotlight for a future promotion. -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam took place in Maryland. The armies met on Sep 16 but the fighting did not start until the next day. The Union army was led by Mclellan. The Confederate army was led by Lee. Gen J. Hooker led his troops and attacked Lee's left flank. Antietam is the single most bloodiest day of the Civil War. No side gained a significant advantage during the day. Burnside, a Union officer, requested reinforcements from Mclellan. This request was denied which caused a military draw. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was given by Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln delivered it after the battle of Antietam. Lincoln used this proclamation to institute a moral cause for war. The goal was to change the fight to preserving the union into a fight for freedom. The proclamation freed all slaves in states at war with the Union. This order did not affect slaves in the south. However, the proclamation allowed slaves to serve in the army and navy. The 54th Massachussetts was the most famous. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The battle of Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War. (C) Lee led an army of 75,000 men. (U) Meade led an army of 97,000. More men fought and died at Gettysburg than any other in American History. The (C) army entered Gettysburg in search of shoes. The armies engaged in battle for 3 days. The (C) army finally retreated from Gttysburg. Gettysburg turned the Civil War in favor of the Union. Gettysburg ensured Great Britian would not recognize the South's independence. -
Siege at Vicksburg
Vicksburg was the last opposition to 1/3 of the anaconda plan. The plant to control the Mississippi would cut the South in half. Vicksburg was a fortress on the Mississippi that prevented Union Ships from going South. Grant was charged with the task of capturing the city. Vicksburg refused to surrender. The Siege took a lot longer than expected. VIcksburg finally surrendered due to lack of supplies. The Siege lasted May 19 to July 4. -
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address was delivered month after the battle. Land had been organized to turn into a mass cemetary for those who died at Gettysburg. The first speaker of the day was Edward Everett. Lincoln followed Everett. Lincoln delivered his most famous speech on that November day. The occasion for the speech was the institution of the Soldiers' National Cemetary. Lincoln talked about the sacrifice of both sides at Gettysburg. -
Gettysburg Address
He said that what he said there today would not last as long as the actions of the men who fought and died at Gettysburg. -
Siege of Richmond
The Siege of Richmond would be a crippling blow to the Confederacy. Grant knew that Lee's army would be able to defend Richmond with the fortifications inside. Grant chose to attack Petersburg. Petersburg was a city that stop for a railroad. It broughts supplies into Richmond. Grant decided to starve the Confederates out of Richmond. The Confederates held off for pretty long. This Siege marks the start of the Appomattox Campaign where Lee would surrender to Grant. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
Sherman's march started in Atlanta, GA. Sherman burned Atlanta. Sherman believed that war also was on the citizens as well as soldiers. Sherman terrorized countrysides by stealing money and supplies from farms. Sherman marched through GA, capturing Savannah and Miledgeville. Calvary under Gen. Joseph Wheeler opposed Sherman's army but could not stop it. The army made its way to SC, burning Charlestown, and up through NC. Sherman's march destroyed morale for the Confederacy and cut it up. -
Election of 1864
The Election of 1864 was between Lincoln and Gen. Mclellan. Lincoln was the Republican nominee again. Mclellan was the democratic nominee. Lincoln won with overwhelming power. Lincoln won all but 3 states. Lincoln's reelection allowed him to propose the 13th amendment. If Lincoln had not been reelected then the amendment would not have had the same hope of getting passed by Congress. Lincoln was the most popular man in the country and only he could have pushed the amendment like he did. -
Freedmen's Bureau
Freedmen's Bureau was created in order to help former slaves and poor whites after the war. Congress created this bureau. The bureau was a part of the war department. Gen. O.O. Howard was the first commisioner of the bureau. The goal of the bureau was to feed and clothe war refugees. The bureau negotiated labor contracts. The most significant action of the bureau was the education of former slaves. The bureau also created special courts for cases that dealt with former slaves. -
Appomattox Court House
The Civil War ended at Appomattox Court House. Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at the court house. Lee decided to surrender after his army had slowly deteriorated. The agreement of the court house stunned Lee. Grant and Lincoln had talked about a forgiving set of conditions for the South. The South had to drop their weapons and go home. Leniency was imperative to Lincoln's goal of amending the nation. Reconstruction was made easier by this leniency. -
Lincoln's Assassination
On April 14, 1865, Lincoln was assassinated. Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth. Booth was an actor and a rascist. After shooting Lincoln, Booth broke his leg. Booth had planned to kill Lincoln when Lincoln and his wife Mary went to Ford's Theatre. The assassination of Lincoln hurt the South. Lincoln was hoping to reconcile with the South. Lincoln wanted to forgive the South and move on. Lincoln's assassination led to a harder Reconstruction. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment was passed by Congress. The amendment was ratified on Dec 6, 1865. The amendment was designed to outlaw forced servitude and slavery from the United States. "Neither slavery no forced servitude.....shall exist within the United States..." The 13th amendment did what the Emancipation failed to do in the North. The mendment outlawed slavery in border states and in Union states. Slavery was abolished due to the 13th amendment. But it did not abolish the deep racism in the US. -
14th Amendment
The 14th amendment was ratified on July 9, 1868. The amendment passed through Congress. The amendment ensured citizenship for the former slaves. The amendment also ensured due process and equal protection. Southern States refused to ratify this amendmen. So Radical Republicans passed the 1867 Reconstruction Acts. These acts divided the South into 5 military districts. These districts paved the way for black leaders to rise to state legislatures and ensured the law was fair. -
15th Amendment
The 15th amendment passed Congress in 1870. The 15th amendment gave the right to vote to all men. Former male slaves were now able to vote. The amendment did not guarentee the right to hold office for blacks. The amendment would be avoided by poll taxes and intimidation tactics. Southern states would not be able to send Congressmen until they allowed black suffrage. Southern states had to rewrite their state constitutions to include black suffrage. The amendment gave the right to vote to vote. -
Election of 1876
The candidates were affected by the scandals in Grant's presidency. The parties nominated candidates that the public would trust. The election was between (R) Hayes and (D) Tilden. Hayes becomes the victor. Hayes won by one electoral vote. Hayes then pulls Fed Troops out of South. Hayes' action is known as the Compromise of 1877. The Compromise of 1877 solved the close race between Hayes and Tilden. The South had now gained its democratic regime back and was then know as the "Solid South".
