Major Events of the Civil War

Confederation Formed

Mar 1, 1781

The Articles of Confederation was the first written constitution of the USA. Although it was written in 1777, it was not ratified until March 1st of 1781. (History.com) They formed it because the North didn’t want slaves but the South did.

Lincoln Elected

Nov 6, 1860

Abraham Lincoln became President in the election of 1860. The specific date is November 6th, 1860. (1860 United States Presidential Election) This contest was a four-way contest between Lincoln, John Breckenridge, John Bell, and Stephen Douglas. (Presidential Election of 1860:A Resource Guide)

South Carolina Secedes

Dec 20, 1860

South Carolina was “The first state to secede from the federal Union.” It happened on December 20, 1860. (South Carolina Secession) They seceded because “the escalating controversy over the expansion of slavery into the territory acquired from Mexico.” (U.S National Park Service)

Civil War Begins

Apr 12, 1861

It began in Fort Sumter in Charleston Bay. It started on April 12th, 1861. (James McPherson) This war was fought “over the moral issue of slavery.” (Causes of the Civil War)

First Battle of Bull Run

Jul 21, 1861

This battle, the first battle of bull run, is also known as the Battle of Manassas. It marked the first major battle in the Civil War. It occurred on July 21st of 1861. “Union and Confederate armies clashed near Manassas Junction, Virginia.” (History.com Editors)

Naval Battles

Mar 9, 1862

This is “one of the most famous naval battles in American History.” It happened on March 9th, 1862.(Battle of the Ironclads) Monitor and Merrimac are the names of the battle ships. “This battle revolutionized naval warfare by proving that wooden vessels were obsolete against ironclads.”(Virginia Museum of History & Culture)

Battle of Shiloh

Apr 6, 1862

This battle allowed Grant to begin an operation in the Mississippi Valley. It took place from the 6th through the 7th, April 1862.(National Geographic Society) It began when “the Confederate Army launched a surprise surprise attack on the Union forces.”(Battle of Shiloh)

The Second Battle of Bull Run

Aug 28, 1862

The second battle of bull run is known as the battle of Manassas. IT “proved to be the deciding battle in the Civil war campaign waged between Union and Confederate armies.” This battle took place from the 28th through the 30th in August of 1862. (Second Battle of Bull Run)

Battle of Antietam

Sep 17, 1862

The Battle of Antietam was “the deadliest one-day battle in American military history.” (Antietam) It happened on September 17th, 1862.The “advanced technology, unwise tactics, and terrible decision-making” made this battle so bloody. (Anderson, L.V.)

Emancipation Proclamation

Jan 1, 1863

This proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1st, 1863. The proclamation “declared ‘that all persons held as slaves’ within the rebellious stater ‘are, and henceforward shall be free.’” (The Emancipation Proclamation) This basically means that after Lincoln signed it, all the slaves within some states are now free.

Gettysburg

Jan 7, 1863

The Gettysburg battle took place on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of July 1863. The Union's victory “would give the North a major morale boost and put a definitive end to Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Bold plan to invade the North.”(Pruitt, Sarah)