History of the Civil War

The Election of Lincoln

Nov 2, 1860

Link(Date is approximate) President Lincoln is elected as president in November 1860 as the first Republican- a political party formed for favoring the banishment of slavery. This angers many Southern States into secession later on.

The Secession of Seven States

Feb 1, 1861

Link(Date estimated) On this vdate, with outrage at President Lincoln's election, seven states in favor of slaver seceded from the United States of America to form thier own confederacy. The states were South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas.

The Battle of Fort Sumter and More Secession

Apr 12, 1861

LinkOn this very date, the first shots of the Civil War were fired by Confederate forces at Union held forces in Fort Sumter. Sumter's commander, Major Robert Anderson, was defeated through surrender after two days, thus allowing General Pierre G.T. Beauregard to seize the fort . Four states then also secede: Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina and Tennessee.

The First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas)

Jul 21, 1861

LinkUnion forces are defeated through this battle by Confederate general Thomas Johnathan "Stonewall" Jackson, with the promise that this war will not be over for anytime soon. In addition, the Union must now reside in Washington DC, and each side calls for reinforcements.

The Seven Days' Battles

Jun 25, 1862

Link(Actually did not end until July 1; in picture, blue refers to the Union forces, red for the Confederates) These battles involve the Union army (led by George B. McClellan)being pushed back by Confederate forces (led by Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson) after Yorktown was captured by the Union in May. During these battles, McCellan calls for more troops from President Lincoln to capture Richmond, a Southern-occuppied city; Lincoln refuses and eventually replaces MeCellan.

The Second Battle of Bull Run (Second Manassas)

Aug 29, 1862

http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/second-battle-of-bull-runThis is another battle of the Cvil War, with the Union being led by John Pope against Confederate generals Robert E. Lee, James Longstreet, and Stonewall Jackson. It was a deciding battle between the two forces on the reign of northern Virginia; however,eventually, Pope is forced to retreat after Confederate forces apply too much pressure.

Fighting at Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-historyThis day would be the most bloodiest day of the Cvil War. Though the Union won the desicisve battle with its general being George McCellan against Confederate leaders Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, casualties included 12,410 losses for the North and 13,724 for the South.

The Emancipation Proclamation

Sep 22, 1862

http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/emancipation-proclamationOne of the major steps in having African Americans earn their deserved civil rights, the Emancipation Proclamation occurred on this very day. Using the battle at Antietam as a monument, President Lincoln had thus declared that all slaves working for the Confederacy were freed by the first of January in 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation was also a turning point in the Cvil War, as it demonstrated the war's value: to stop slavery.

Battle of Gettysburg

Jul 1, 1863

http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-historyThe Battle of Gettysburg happened to have happened on this very day. It would include Confederate leader Robert E. Lee attempting an invasion of the Union near the city of Gettysburg itself in Pennyslvania. However, after 2 days, the invasion would fail, with major casualites to the Confederates (60% of their forces). This battle would also result in the Gettysburg Address in November of 1863 and would additionally be the last Confederate invasion of the Civil War.

Ending of a War

Apr 26, 1865

http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-historyThis would be the ending to one of the bloodiest conflicts in American history, with this event's occurrence: the surrender of the Confederate leader General Johnston to Union leader General William T. Sherman at Durham Station, North Carolina. However, victory would not have been ensured without a cost: the loss of President Lincoln of the Union on April 14, 12 days earlier.