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Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
These resolutions by the Virginia and Kentucky legislatures were written to declare the Alien and Seditions Acts unconstitutional. Thye also wanted to allow States to declare any Congress act unconstitutional -
Hartford Convention Meets During War of 1812
This was ameeting during the War of 1812 where New Englnad's opposition to the war reached a point where they thought about secession to the United States. -
Missouri Compromise
This compromise was between pro and anti slavery land in the country. It stated that the 36 30 line marked the division of slavery and that there could be no slavery in Louisiana abvove that line. it also admitted Maine as a free state to the US. -
Tariff of Abominations Passed
This tariff was designed to protect the industry business in the North, which was being driven out of business by low priced imports. It harmed the South because they ahd to pay more on the same items they could get imported cheaper. -
South Carolina Tries to Nullify
This movemnet was started in the South by asking Vice President Calhoun to help them. The South struggled with the tariff and wanted it nullified. This almost led to fighting the South against Congress, but luckily a new tariff was passed and agreeed on. -
Abolition of Slavery Act (1833)
This day was the day that slavery was abolished in the British Empire. It was adopted on this day and agreed to by the Royals and slavery eneded in British Empire. -
Texas Declares Independence From Mexico
This was the day Texas declared its independence from Mexico. It was after the Texas Revolution and early the next year the document declaring their independence was adopted. -
James Polk Elected
On this day, James K. Polk was elected the eleventh President of the United States. He was known as the "dark horse" candidate because he was not expected to beat out his opponent, Henry Clay. -
Mexican War
This Mexican-American War lasted from 1846 to 1848. It was started by the annexation of Texas, which mexico viewed as its property, causing the war over the land and more land in today's US like New Mexico. -
Wilmot Proviso
This proviso was proposed to Congress by David Wilmot. He stated that any land gained by the Mexican War was to have no slavery or servitude to another person. -
California Enters the Union
On this day, California joined the Union a sa free state without slavery. It was the 31st state in the union and was after the Mexican War. -
Fugitive Slave Law Enacted
This was a part of the Compromise of 1850 which allowed California to enter the Union free and it stopped the slave trade in D.C. For the slavery side, it allowed slavery in Texas. This laso started the Underground Railroad.The Fugitive Slave Law stated that all slaves must be returned to their masters if they ran away. -
Publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin
This day the book Uncle Tom's Cabin was published. It was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It is thought to have led to the Civil War and be a main cause in the war. -
Kansas and Nebraska Act Passed
On this day the Kansas and Nebraska Act became a law and was passed in the US. This act opened up the territories gained from the Missouri Compromise to settlers. The question of slavery was to be determined by popular soveirgnity. -
Formation of Republican Party
This party was created by anti-slavery northerners. It was created to combat the Kansas Nebraska Act which would allow slavery to expand into the new land. The Republicans did not want this and created this party. -
Border Ruffians Attack Lawrence
The "Border Ruffinas" were pro-slave people who moved into Kansas to promote slavery and have it be a slave state. Then on this day, they teamed up with Kansans supporting slavery and attacked the town of Lawrence. -
Charles Sumner Attacked
On this afternoon, Preston Brooks attacked Charles Sumner. Sumner had recently given a speech attacking slavery, Kansas, South Carolina, and Mr. Butler. Mr. Butler's nephew heard the speech and was outraged by it. He attacked on this day with his cane because Sumner was too low socially for a duel -
Pottawatomie Creek
John Brown was against slavery and he moved to Kansas to fight against slavery in the new state. After the attack on Lawrence, he wanted revenge. He took a few men and some ex-slaves to pottawatomie Creek and hacked at innocent, helpless people because it was a pro-slave town. -
Dred Scott Decision Announced
This was a case in which Dred Scott sued his owners becaus ehe had been taken into a free stae and therfore should be free. It was declined and the decision was that slaves are property and therfore cannot be takne away without due process. -
Lecompton Constitution Passed
This was the second of four proposed Constitutions for Kansas. It allowed slavery in kansas and prohibited free blacks to live there. It was never passed, but taken to a vote on this day. -
Licoln and Douglas Debates
These debates were held between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. They debated throughout the year 1858 for the spot on the Senate seat for Illinois. -
Formation of Constitutional Union Party
This was a party that was formed in 1859 and was dissolved in 1860 after the election. It was made to grow support fo the Union and to elect a pro-slavery President. After the election went to Lincoln its purpose was stopped and it was dissolved. -
Raid at Harper's Ferry
On this day John Brown and many other men, including his sons, set out to raid Harpers Ferry and siege the armory there. Thye were trying to get the slaves there to join and rebel, but he failed this and killed innocent people, also losing many of his men and his sons. He was later hung and was known to start the Civil War. -
Election of 1860
This was the elction for President in 1860. It wa sled mostly by Lincoln and Douglas and Breckinridge. Lincoiln was predicted as the underdog but he ended up winning. He got mostly all the northern states which had more population and led to him getting the most electoral votes and bcoming president. -
Democrats Split in 1860
When Lincoln was elected President in 1860, the South and the Democrats disagreed. They split into two with the election and there was a struggle for power. -
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina Secedes
On this day, South Carolina led the South by being the first state to secede from the Union. This was a direct result from the election of President Lincoln, followed by many other Lower South States. These states soon created the Confederate States of America. -
Abraham Lincoln Inaugurated
Abraham Lincoln InauguratedThis was the day that newly elected Preisdent Abraham Lincoln gave his first inaugural address. It was a great day in Union history and was a very famous speech made by one of our greatest Presidents. -
Attack On Fort Sumter
Attack On Fort SumterAt 4:30 on this morning, the Civil War officially started. The Union had troops in the fort and viewed it as Union land. The Confederates went in and cut off supplies to the troops. Not wanting to be the aggressor, Lincoln sent in supplies with due notice and no arms or troops. Jefferson Davis had nothing to do because he did not want to be the agressor either, so he asked the troops in the fort to surrender. They said no so he bombarded the fort until the Union surrendered. -
Robert E. Lee Surrenders Commision
Robert E. Lee Surrenders Commission
This was the day that Virginia seceded from the Union. Robert E. Lee held a high military office at this point, but did not want to be involved with this. So when they seceded, he surrendered his commissions and did not help with the insurrection. He later was appointed Commander and Chief of the Confederacy and joined the military once again. -
Virginia Secedes
Virginia SecedesOn this day Virginia seceded from the Union and joined the Confederate States of America. It was one of the earlier states to secede along with many others on this day. -
1st Battle of Bull Run
1st Battle of Bull RunThis was the first major battle of the Civil War between the Union and Confederates. The Union had less troops but was under pressure to win, so for the first few hours of the battle they had the lead and pushed back the Confederate forces, except for Gen. Jackson, Jackson lasted long enugh for reinforcements to arrive and win the battle. -
Battle of the Monitor and the Merrimac
Battle Of the Monitor and the Merrimac
On this day the two great ironclad ships fought in Hampton Roads and is regarded as the most important naval battle of the war. It was an attempt by the Confederates to destroy the Union blockade which had cut off Virginia from trade. It was an inconclusive result and the blockade remained. It was the first battle of ironclads in the war. -
Battle of Shiloh
Battle of Shiloh
This was a major battle of the Western Theater, fought in Tennessee and lasting two days. The Confederates launched a surprise attack on the Union and almost wiped out the army and the war could have ended here, but the Union was able to comeback and win the battle. -
McClellan Returns to Washington After the Peninsula Campaign
McClellan Returns to Washington After Peninsula Campaign
This campaign lasted from March through July and was an attack on south-easterm Virginia led by McClellan. It was the first large scale offensive in the Eastern Theater. The result of the campaign was inconclusive and both sides suffered heavy casualties. -
2nd Battle of Bull Run
2nd Battle of Bull Run
This was an offensive attack made by the Confederates led by Robert E Lee. The Confederate army flanked the Union army led by John Pope, whos army had more men. The end of the battle resulted in a Confederate victory. -
Battle of Antietam
Battle of AntietamThis battle was fought in MAryland under the commands of McClellan and Lee, ending in a tactically unconclusive battle, but a strategic Union victory. This was the first major battle to take place on Northern soil. It was a one day battle, but it was known for being the bloodiest one day battle in the war. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
Battle of Fredericksburg
This battle was fought between Robert E Lee for the Confedertes and Ambrose E Burnside for the Union. The Union army tried to launch attacks on the Confederate army, but with no avail. The attacks failed and the battle ended in a Confederate victory. -
Emancipation Proclamation Takes Effect
Emancipation Proclamation Takes EffectThis was the day that the Emancipation Proclamation came into effect. This ended slavery in the Confederate states, but allowed it in the states that had stayed with the Union, or the Middle States. It allowed all freed slaves, all Confederate slaves, to join the Union army and fight for the freedom of their brothers. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
Battle of ChancellorsvilleThis army is known as Robert E Lee's perfect battle because of the result of the battle. He was able to split his army and take the down the twice as large Union army. This battle was also the cause of Stonewall Jackson's death, as a result to friendly fire. It was aheavy loss to the Confederates, but a victory nonetheless. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of GettysburgOn this day, Lee and his army met the Army of the Potomac in Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. Both armies lined up across from each other on hills and first Lee attacked the right with no luck, and then the left the next day with less luck. Then Pickett's charge attacked Lee's line and 10,000 died. -
Surrender Of Vicksburg
Surrender Of Vicksburg
On this Independence Dya in the year 1863, the Confederates surrendered Vicksburg to the Union, specifically Ulysses S Grant. The Confederates wanted to surrender, but Grant did not have the provisions to kkep the other soldiers. He gave them aprole and figured they would never fight, but they soon came back to Vicksburg to fight. This time the Confederates surrendered. -
Battle at Fort Wagner
Battle at Fort WagnerThe Union saw Fort Wagner as a key piece of land to own and use tactically. It was under the command of the Confederates and so the Union had to attack. Thye failed and tried again on the 18th, failing yet again. -
Lincoln Delivers Gettysburg Address
Lincoln Delivers Gettysburg Address
On this day President Lincoln delivered one of the most memorable speeches in this country. It was after the Battle of Gettysburg in the cemetery. He followed another speech that was near two hours long. Lincoln was known for long speeches, but his Gettysburg Address was his shortest, at aroun5 minutes, but also his best. -
Grant Displays Fighting Style at Cold Harbor
Grant Displays Fighting Style At Cold HarborThe Union held control of Cold Harbor and the Confederates wanted to take it over. Sheridan was able to hold them back until reinforcements arrived. Grant said he wished he had never called this attack on. The armies lined up and the Union won the battle and Grant shifted his focus to Petersburg. -
Atlanta Burns to the Ground
Atlanta Burns to the Ground
Sherman had fought in Atlanta and the Confederates surrendered the city. On this day he told the citizens to evacuate and planned on burning the city. They begged him not to and he spared the hospitals, but he soon left with his men and they burned down the city. -
Sherman Sets Out For The Sea
Sherman Sets Out For The SeaThis is when Sherman started the most destructive campaign to a civilian population, Georgia, in the war. Sherman and his army left Atlanta to burn and marched all the way to the sea burning and raiding everything in their path. -
Sherman Reaches Savannah
Sherman Reaches Savannah
This day concluded Sherman's March to the Sea, which started in Atlanta and ended in Savannah. Sherman and his men marched through Georgia all the way until the coats and burned everything in their path. Thye spared nothing and wanted the South to feel the war. -
Lincoln Delivers 2nd Inaugural Address
Lincoln Delivers 2nd Inaugural AddressThis was the day when Presisdent Lincoln gave his second inaugural address. He talked about the country's biggest crisis in the Civil War. This speech was given only a month before his death and the war soon ended. -
Richmond, the Confederate Capital, Falls
Richmond Falls
On this day General Lee wrote to Confederate President Davis that Richmond must be evacuatd. After many attempts to take over Richmond, the Union finally succeeded on this day. -
Surrender At Appomattox
Surrender At AppomattoxThis was generally known as the end of the Civil War. Lee and his army was surrounded and were running low on provisions. He asked to surrender to Grant, who was sad at it all. Thye talked a lot and were very friendly and Grant was sad to see Lee's army end.
