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Election of 1860
Abraham Lincoln elected 16th President of the United States. Lincoln was the Republican candidate, beating out Democrat Stephen Douglas, Democrat John C. Breckinridge, and Constitutional Unionist John Bell. Lincoln won just under 40 percent of the popular vote, but was able to secure 59 percent of the Electoral votes; his success was due in part to the split in the Demcratic ranks. His election enraged many Southerners, who had already threatened to secede if he was elected. -
Crittenden Compromise Proposed
As a last effort to avoid conflict, Senator John Crittenden of Kentucky proposes his Crittenden Compromise, which would allow slavery south of the 36' 30 line drawn up in the Missouri Compromise. Lincoln, however, refused to accept the compromise, as it went against Republican beliefs. -
Secession of the South
Enraged by Lincoln's election as President, South Carolina holds a special convention in which they vote to secede. In the following weeks, several other states, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississppi, Lousiana and Texas did the same. -
Confederacy Formed
In February, the states of the Deep South met at a convention in Montgomery, Alabama, at which they formed the Confederate States of America. Soon after, a constitution was written, which included laws limiting government power over tariffs and the regulation of slavery. The president was Jefferson Davis of Mississppi, and the Vice president was Alexander Stephens of Georgia. -
Fighting Begins at Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter, a Federal fort claimed by the Confederates, was the first conflict of the war. Rather than provoke violence, Lincoln sent provisions to the Union soldiers at the fort, allowing the South to make the first move. Southern shots were fired, and thus began the Civil War. -
Secession of the Upper South
Beginning with Virginia in April of 1861, the middle states began to declare secession from the Union, including Arkansas, Tennessee and North Carolina. Unfortunately for the Union, General Robert E. Lee sided with his home state of Virginia. -
First Battle of Bull Run
Also known as the First Manassas, the First Battle of Bull Run was the first major battle of the war. 30,000 Federal troops aimed to marched to Bull Run Creek in Virginia to attack Confederate forces. Though the North got started off strong, Southern reinforcements led by General Stonewall Jackson forced the Union troops back North. This first battle of the war erased the idea of a brief war once and for all. -
Trent Affair
A British ship en route to England with two Confederate diplomats, Mason and Slidell, was stopped by a Union ship and the two were taken as prisoners of war. Britian threatened war unless the Union would release the two, and Lincoln gave in to demands. He did succeed, however, in preventing the Confederates from gaining the support they had sought. -
Peninsula Campaign
Led by Union General George McClellan, Union troops invade Virginia, but are eventually turned away by Confederate General Robert E. Lee after. At this point, the Union has already faced a series of terrible defeats by the South. -
Moniter vs. Merrimac
Also known as the Battle of Hampton Roads, the Confederate Merrimack, an iron ship, threatened the Union, who responded by building their own Moniter. Neither side was victorious, but it was a key naval battle nonetheless, and revolutionized naval warfare. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
Confederate General Lee takes advantage of Union leadership change and strikes, He draws Pope into an trap before attacking and sending Union troops back to Washington, -
Battle of Antietam
Lee crosses into enemy territory in Maryland, hoping for a major victory to secure European support. Unfortunately for Lee, McClellan, who had been restored to his posititon as Commander of the Union, knew Lee's plan. Confederate Special order 191 had been discovered by Union soldiers and McClellan was prepared for Lee's attack. Union forces were prepared, and pushed Lee back in what was the bloodiest day of the war. Though not a technical victory, Antietam proved a key battle for the Union. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
McClellan's replacement, General Ambrose Burnside, recklessly attacks Confederate troops in Virginia and suffers huge losses. -
Vicksburd Campaign
A series of battles beginning in late 1862, ending in the Confederate surrender of the city of Vicksburg, ensured the Union control of the Mississippi River and cut off Texas, Arkansas and Lousiana from the rest of the Confederacy. -
Emancipation Proclamataion
Lincoln's warning, made at the Battle of Antietam, goes into effect, freeing all slaves in rebel states. -
Battle of Gettysburg
A three day battle, Lee led his troops into Union territory, hoping to take the advantage in the war and get the North to call for peace by destroying enough of the Union army or pushing far enough North to threaten major cities. Union pushes Lee back, and the battle becomes the key battle of the war, putting the North at the advantage. -
Sherman's March
Union General William Sherman became a symbol of the Northern war of attrition, pushing south throught South Carolina and Georgia, burning and destroying everything in his path. His march became key in destroying the South's hopes. -
Confederate Surrender at Appomattox
After a few more Union victories, the South finally surrendered at Appomattox, where Union troops allowed the Confederates to return home with dignity.
