-
Licoln Elected President
Abraham Lincoln was elected president of the United states. He was elected in a time of great dispute between the northern and southern states and his election served as a final reason for the south to seceed. The south felt that because Lincoln was elected that their slaves wouldnt be freed. -
First Secession
South Carolina is the first state to seceed from the Union. They felt that the Licoln election would take their slaves away from them. Though the rest of the South hadnt suceeded, they took action to protect slavery. -
Confederate Constitution
When the south seceeded, they became the confederate states of America. These states included: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas. On March 11th 1861 the confederate states created their own constitution. -
The war begins
On this date, confederate troops fired on the Union at fort Sumter. This marks the begining of the fighting in the Civil war. Soon after the battle, more states seceed from the Union. -
George McClellan
George McClellan is declared General-in-Cheif of the Union army. McClellan was known for training great troops and also he was also great with his planning for battle. He struggled against agressive enemies and overestimated the Confederate army. -
Capture of New Orleans
The Union troops capture New Orleans. New Orleans was a major Confederate city and this Union victory served as a major turning point in the war. To capture New Orleans, the Union had to fight past Fort Jackson and St. Philips. -
Homestead Act
These were several different laws that gave applicant ownership of land. It stated that anyone 21 or older that had not taken up arms againt the U.S. could apply for a federal land grant. Along with this came a residency requirment. -
Militia Act
This act allowed Lincoln to hire blacks as soldiers. These black soldiers were used mainly as spies and laborers. They were paid but only half of what white soldiers were paid. -
The Battle of Antietam
This battle was the bloodiest battle of the civil war. The outcome of the battle was really a draw and the rebels were forced to retreat. Although no side won the battle, it recharged northern hopes. -
Emancipation Proclamation
This marks the passage of the Emancipation proclamation. The proclamation would be put into effect in January, 1st, 1863. This proclamation freed all slaves within the southern states in secession. -
Slaves Freed.
On this date, the Emancipation Proclamation took effect. All slaves in the southern states were freed. This however didnt end slavery. -
Battle of Gettysburg
This battle was a major Union victory. There were about 50,000 casualties between the two armies. This battle stoped the south from entering farther into union territory and caused the south to retreat. -
Siege of Vicksburg
This was one of the most imortant Union victories in the war. Over 29,000 rebel troops were captured. The Union took control of the mississippi river and split the confederacy into two sections. -
13th amendment
On this date congress passed the 13th amendment. This outlawed slavery and invoulintary service in all of the United States. This was another step in the proccess if freedom for blacks. -
Lincoln Assasination
On this date, President Abraham Lincoln was shot and killed. He was killed at Ford's theatre by John Wilkes Booth while watching a play. Because of his death, Andrew Johnson stepped in as President. -
Andrew Johnson
After the Lincoln assasination, Andrew Johnson took over as President. Johnson followed most of what Lincoln was doing for reconstruction. He focused on leniency towards the southern states. -
Black Codes
Shortly after Andrew Johnson stepped in as President, southern states began to pass black codes.These laws heavily restricted the freedom of freed slaves.The south kept finding ways to take the black's freedom away. -
14th Amendment
On this date 14th amendment was ratified. The 14th amendment gave blacks full citizenship. It also called upon the federal government to protect the those rights. -
15th Amendment
On this date, the 15th amendment was ratified. The 15th amendment prohibited any state from denying a citizen the right to vote because of race or color. This was another amendment put in place to keep blacks free. -
Civil Rights Act of 1875
On this date, the Civil Rights Act of 1875 was passed. This stated that no citizen could be denied the use of public facilities because of color. This was the last act passed during the reconstruction.
