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Lincoln is Elected into Office
Abraham Lincoln is elected under the Republican party as the 16th president of the United States. His northern veiws anger the South, and this election was the final straw causing their secession. -
Secession of South Carolina
Because of Lincoln's election citizens of the south beleived that the Federal Government was becoming too powerful and increasingly opressive of Southern values. South Carolina was the first to seperate itself from the United States and form the Confederacy, a country similiar to the United States but with much more power given to the states. -
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Lincoln's Time in Office
This was the time which Linoln spent as President of the United States, with one reelection in 1864 and ending with his assasination. -
Fort Sumter is Attacked
The Confederacy begins bombarding Fort Sumter with shells, and the fort surrenders the next day, signifying the Confederacy's first attack against the Union and begining the massive war between the two that was to follow. -
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Length of the Civil War
The official start and end dates to the Civil War. -
North Carolina Joins CSA
North Carolina seceedes from the Union and becomes the 11th and final state to officially join the Confederacy (others were claimed by the Confederacy but never joined officially). -
The Emancipation Proclamation is Passed
This proclaimation ordered all slaves in the Confederacy to be free, and in other words ordered Union soldiers to free any slaves they find. It didn't make slavery illegal however, nor did it make these freed slaves citizens. This served as an opening to the next big step against slavery, the 13th Amendment. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
The most famous, bloodiest, and considered to be the most important battle in the Civil War, lasting three days and resulting in about 46,000 deaths and injuries. It is often said to be the Union's turning point in the war, as well as the start of General Lee's downfall. -
13 Amendment Passes
The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution narrowly passes, making all slavery and involuntary servitude (except as punishment for a crime) illegal in the US. -
General Lee Surrenders
Robert E. Lee, one of the Confederacy's most famous and effective generals, surrendered to his rival Ulysses S. Grant. He did so very civilly, and despite several officers telling him otherwise. He is quotes as saying: "So far from engaging in a war to perpetuate slavery, I am rejoiced that slavery is abolished. I believe it will be greatly for the interests of the South." -
Lincoln is Assasinated
Abraham Lincoln is assasinated by John Wilkes Booth while watching a play with his wife, marking the first time in history a US president has been killed. -
The Civil War Officially Ends
On this day the Civil War was officially declared to be over.
