History

Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions written

Oct 16, 1798

The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions were written by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. These resolutions said that the government did not have power unless it was specifically delegated by the Constitution. The Kentucky resoltuion said that states could get rid of laws that were unconstitutional.

Hartford Convention meets during the War of 1812

Dec 15, 1812

This meeting was held in Massachusetts. During this meeting federalists discussed how to stop the decline of their party and New England. This was very contriversal and some considered it an act of treason.

Missouri Compromise

Mar 2, 1820

The missouri Compromise was meant to keep the balance of power between the north and south even. This compromise said that slavery could not exist north of the 36 30 line. It also admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state.

Tariff of Abominations passed.

May 15, 1828

The Tariff of 1828, called the Tariff of Abominations by the south, put high taxes on imported objects. THis helped the north but hurt the south, who relied on imported goods.

South Carolina tries to nullify

Nov 24, 1832

This was when South Carolina tried to nullify the tariff that put high taxes on imported goods. As far as South Carolina was concerned this tariff did not exist. This angered the president, who threatened to send in federal troops to enforce laws that are conisdering being nullified.

Abolition of Slavery Act (1833)

Aug 28, 1833

In 1833 Parliment passed a law that banned slavery in the west indies and the cape of good hope. This made it now illegal in some areas to own another person.

Texas declares independence from Mexico

Mar 2, 1836

On this day Texas beccame a republic. They declared independence from Mexico on this day.

James Polk elected

Nov 5, 1844

James Polk was the 11th president of the United States. He was not expected to beat his opponent and he was a democrat.

Mexican War

Apr 25, 1846

T he Mexican war took place between 1846 and 1848. In this war America and Mexico battled for land. Eventually the United States defeated Mexico.

Wilmot Proviso

Aug 8, 1846

This was introduced by David Wilmot. The Wilmot Proviso stated that slavery would not exist in any of the land taken from Mexico. This never became a law.

California enters the Union

Sep 9, 1850

California enterred the Union as a free state. There was much dispute as to whether or not it would enter as a free state or a slave state.

Fugitive Slave Law enacted

Sep 18, 1850

The Fugitive Slave law was enacted as part of a compromise. This law said that if a slave escaped from his master, he would have to be returned to his owner, no matter what state he was in.

Publication of Uncle Tom's cabin

May 8, 1851

This novel contained the stories of many slaves. It was used by the abolitionists to show all the wrong doings that occur during slavery.

Formation of the Republican Party

Mar 20, 1854

On this date there was the founding of the Republican Party. The Republican party gained a lot of support in the North.

Kansas-Nebraska Act passed

May 30, 1854

This act repealed the Missouri Compromise, which kept slavery in the south. This opened up the struggle of slavery in the western territory. Both pro and anti slavery advocates moved into Kansas in hopes to take it for their cause.

"Border Ruffians" attack Lawrence

May 21, 1856

On this day a group of Border Ruffians attacked the town of Lawrnece in Kansas. This town was believed to be the center of anti slavery in the state. During the attack two newspaper companyies and a hotel were destroyed.

Charles Sumner attacked

May 22, 1856

On this day Preston Brooks, a congress man, attacked Charles Sumner. He was nearly beaten to death from this attack. Sumner was anti slavery and Preston was pro slavery. It took three and a half years for Charles Sumner to return to the senate.

Pottawatomie Creek

May 24, 1856

On this day John Brown and several free state volunteers killed five people. All of the people killed were pro slavery. The attack took place three days after a group of pro slavery people attacked the town of Lawrence.

Dred Scott decision announced

Mar 6, 1857

On this day the decision about Dred Scott was announced. It was decided that Dred could not win his freedom. This was very bad for all abolitionist and meant that slaves were not people, they were property.

Lecompton Constitution passed

Aug 2, 1858

The Lecompton Constitution was created for Kansas. This constitution stated that people could keep their slaves, but no more slaves could be brought in to Kansas. If this was rejected, slavery would be banned all together.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

Dec 1, 1858

Throughout 1858 Licoln and Douglass had seven debates in Illinois. These debates were to decide who would get the US Senate seat. Douglas won the election

Raid at Harper's Ferry

Oct 16, 1859

On this day John Brown and several supporters raided an armory at Harper's Ferry. They intended to lead slaves to freedom by doing this. However they were met by angry ciizens and after a bloody conflict John Brown was arrested.

Formation of the Constitutional Union Party

May 1, 1860

In 1860 a new group formed that was formed after the struggle between north and south broke down older parties. This group included members from multiple states and was a new addition to political parties.

Democrats split in 1860

Jun 18, 1860

There were many issues between Norther and Southern Democrats. Some feared secession. However, they did not want it to lead to war. Eventually, this lead to the Democrats splitting up.

Elections of 1860

Nov 1, 1860

This election had major political tolls on both sides. Despite not winning the popular vote, Licoln won the election

South Carolina Secedes

Dec 20, 1860

On this day, South Carolina made the decision to seceed form the UNited States of America. They intended to protect their interests, even if it meant leaving the United States of America.

Abraham Lincoln inaugurated

Mar 4, 1861

This was a very important day in history. On this day Lincoln was inaugurated as the president of the United States. He won the election, despite not being on the ballot in ten states.

Attack on Fort Sumter

Apr 12, 1861

After several days of trying to peacefully trying to drive out Union soldiers, the Confederates opened fire. They intended to drive out Union soldiers from the fort in South Carolina. The Union was forced to give up the fort.

Virginia Seceedes

Apr 13, 1861

On this day delegates from all the counties in Virginia. During this meeting, it was decided that Virginia would seceed from the Union. Despite a meeting two months earlier where they decided not to leave the Union.

1st Battle of Bull Run

Jul 21, 1861

This battle was the first major conflict that occurred during the Civil War. Despite the battle starting in the favor of the Union, The Confederates eventually acheived victory by the end of the battle. This is the battle where Stonewall Jackson got his nickname.

Battle of the Monitor and the Merrimac

Mar 8, 1862

On this day the ships Merrimac and Monitor engaged in battle. The Union suffered heavy losses from this engagement. Both ships suffered heavy damge and were forced out of fighting.

Battle of Shiloh

Apr 6, 1862

On this day Grant's forces were ambushed by Confederates. After a day of fighting the Confederates retreated but the Union did not have the forces to follow them. This was a very tragic battle in the war and it temporarily ended Grant's career.

McClellan Returns to Washington after the Peninsula Campaign

Aug 26, 1862

After an unsuccessful campaign, McLlellan returned to Washington. Many people, including Lincoln, were not happy with McLellan. He had performed very poorly during his campaign and failed to complete his objective.

2nd Battle of Bull Run

Aug 29, 1862

On this day the second battle of the Bull Run occurred. This was the second attempt by the north in order to push into southern territory. Unfortunately, the north was defeated by the South in this battle.

Battle of Antietam

Sep 16, 1862

On this day Hooker's forces launched an attack on Lee's left flank. The battle soon became extremely bloody on both sides. By the end of the battle this was the bloodiest day in the entire Civil War. By the end of the day there was no real gain for either side. However the Union claimed victory for the battle.

Battle of Fredericksburg

Dec 11, 1862

This was one of the largest and most deadly wars of the Civil War. This battle was the first urban combat to take place in the Civil War. There were nearly 200,000 soldiers fighting in this battle. The Confederates had yet another victory in this battle.

Emancipatio Proclomation Takes Effect

Jan 1, 1863

This was a crucial act by Lincoln. This proclomation stated that slavery could not exist in all confederate states. However, slave states that were still part of the Union could keep their slaves.

Battle of Chancellorsville

Apr 30, 1863

This battle began when Hooker decided to concentrate most of his forces at Chancellorsville. Lee and Jackson planned to surround the Union and take advantage of their unprotected flank. During this battle Jackson was shot at night by his own men in the confusion. Despite the loss Lee was able to push back the Union and this was considered to be one of his greatest victories.

Battle of ysburg

Jul 1, 1863

Despite being out numbered by the Confederates, the Union was able to get more shots off during the first part of the battle. The battle lasted three days. The end result was that a Union victory and this was considered by many to be a turning point in the war.

Surrender at Vicksburg

Jul 4, 1863

During this battle the Union was able to lay seige to the Confederates at Vicksburg. The seige lasted over a month. This ended with the Confederates surrendering to the Union on July 4th.

Battle at Fort Wagner

Jul 11, 1863

Fort Wagner was considered important in terms of defending Charelston, South Carolina. The Union launched a strong attack at CHarleston and needed to defeat the Fort. Despite two seperate attacks the Fort's defences held.

Lincoln Delivers Gettysburg Address

Nov 19, 1863

This address was given at the Gettysburg cemetary to honor the Union soldiers who lost their lives during the Civil War. This address was extremely short, it was only 267 words, yet some consider it to be the most important address in the history of the United States.

Grant Displays Fighting Style at Cold Harbor

Jun 12, 1864

During this battle Grant made a large mistake during the battle. He ordered his troops across an open field toward Confederates, which resulted in heavy Union casualties. However he later ordered his troops across the river and the Confederates retreated.

Atlanta Burns to the Ground

Nov 15, 1864

The burning of Atlanta was part of an extremely destructive campaign known as Sherman's march to the sea. This was the most destructive campaign against civilians during the Civil War. This ruined moral for the Southerners becaused it showed that the Confederacy could not protect them.

Sherman Set out for the Sea

Nov 15, 1864

Sherman began his campaign in Atlanta. He planned to start there and march to the sea and destroy everything in his path that would help the Confederates. This was the begining of the most destructive campaigns towards civilians in the war.

Sherman Reaches Savannah

Dec 21, 1864

After a very destructive journey, Sherman and his men arrived at Savannah, Georgia. The Confederates at Savannah retreated before a surrender began. Sherman then offered Savannah and 25,000 bales of cotton to the president as a Christmas present.

Lincoln Delivers 2nd Inaugural Addres

Mar 4, 1865

Lincoln made this adress as the end of the war was in site. A hopeful crowd was awaiting his speech.

Richmond, the Confederate Capital, Falls

Apr 2, 1865

Robert E. Lee was able to hold the Union back for nearly 10 months. However, as the army and supplies became depleated, Lee had to look for alternatives. Eventually, Lee was forced to retreat and give up Richmond, Virginia.

Surrender at Appomattox

Apr 7, 1865

THis marked the end of the fighting in the Civil War. On this day Robert E. Lee surrendered to Grant after being cut off from retreat. This was the last major conflict of the Civil War.

Robert E. Lee Surrenders Commission

Apr 9, 1865

On this day Robert Lee surrendered to Grant after they pushed through southern lines. Grant was able to prevent Lee from retreating to North Carolina.