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Election of 1860
The victory of Abraham Lincoln ensured the secession of South Carolina from the Union. The Election was significant because it was the direct cause of disunion. Even though Abraham Lincoln didn't run on an abolitionist platform, South Carolina seceded regardless. -
Secession of South Carolina
South Carolina was the first state to secede. The legislature unanimously voted to call for a convention four days after the Election of 1860, and the convention at Charleston unanimously voted to secede. This was a critical point in US history because the secession of South Carolina was the impetus for the secession of the rest of the Southern states. -
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter was the starting point of the Civil War. Before the attack of Fort Sumter, many Northerners had believed that the Southern states should be allowed to secede. However, after Fort Sumter, many of the Northerners rallied to the flag. After Fort Sumter, Lincoln called for war, and many Northerners volunteered to join the militia. -
Battle of Bull Run
The Battle of Bull Run was significant because it signified to the Union that the Civil War would not be the short conflict that Lincoln expected. On the other hand, the Battle of Bull Run raised the confidence of Southerners to the point where their enlistment dropped. Furthermore, from this point on, the Civil War's goal of preserving the Union changed to applying the ideals of abolitionism. -
Merrimack and the Monitor
The Confederates plated the Merrimack with iron rails, creating an effective war machine. This was a threat to the Union, so the North plated the Monitor and sent it to fight the Merrimack. This battle was the first testing of ironclads, ushering in the end to wooden warships. -
The Seven Days' Battles
Starting from June 26, 1862, the Seven Days' Battles proved to be a failure for the Union under McClellan's leadership. If McClellan had succeeded in capturing Richmond, the Civil War may have ended quickly. However, since General Lee succeeded in defeating the Union, the Civil War would prove to be a long and costly battle for Americans. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
Robert E. Lee moved northward and fought against the Union's John Pope. At Bull Run, the Confederate army fought furiously, inflicting a costly defeat upon the Union. This battle again raised the morale of the Confederate army and led to the further northward campaign of General Lee. -
Battle of Antietam
Robert E. Lee had boldly entered Maryland. This battle was significant because the Marylanders did not join the Confederates and it halted Lee's advances. If the Confederates had won the battle, then it was very likely that France and Britian would have been willing to interfere in the fighting. Furthermore, this battle provided a strong turning point in the Civil War, favoring the North -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation called for the freeing of all slaves in the Confederate states. This document impacted the war because it provided the North a more definite goal to work for. Furthermore, it set into stone the fate of slavery and the South. Even though Lincoln did not free the slaves in the Union, this would be the basis for the amendments that would come. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was signigcant because it was the final offensive manuvoer Lee was able to muster. If he had succeeded, the outcome of the war may have been quite different. However, with Lincoln's victory, the Battle of Gettysburg proved to be the final turning point of the war. The most bloodiest battle in the Civil War, Gettysburg was a pivot point. -
Battle of the Wilderness
This was the first battle of Grant's Virginia Overland Campaign. This campaign would be the final straw for the the Confederates due to Grant's brutal onslaught. Through this campaign, Grant suffered heavy losses, but the same proportion of losses were inflicted upon the Confederates also. -
Capture of Atlanta
The Capture of Atlanta was significant because it destroyed the morale of the Confederates. By cutting accross the heart of the South, the fate of the Confederates was sealed. After the capture of Atlanta, General Sherman commenced to burn it and burn a path through Georgia. This prevented the South from regrouping and helped end the war. -
Election of 1864
This Election was of great significance because of the great possiblity of Lincoln not being elected for president. If the Northern Democrats had won the election, the Confederates may have had a chance to pull through. Through the reelection of Abrahama Lincoln, Northern victory was guaranteed. -
Freedman's Bureau
The Freedman's Bureau was a critical step towards the Reconstruction because it allowed for the education of freed slaves. Even though it expired in 1872, the Freedman's Bureau was a small step towards the empowerment of freed slaves. However, it also depicted the unwillingness of the South to comply with the empowerment of freed slaves. -
Capture of Richmond
The capture of Richmond was the final major event of the Civil War. With the loss of its capital, the fall of the Confederacy was imminent. Furthermore, it was evident that the Confederates were going to have to surrender, while the Union attained much of its agenda. -
Appomattox Courthouse
At the Appomattox Courthouse, the end of the Civil War occurred. By providing generous terms of surrender, General Grant allowed for the end of the Civil War to take place with General Lee. This was evidently significant because it had brought an end to the Confederacy and the bloody Civil War. -
Assassination of Lincoln
The assassination of Lincoln was significant because of the fact that Lincoln was the undeniable leader of the Union. With the fall of Lincoln, his plan for the South was not able to be passed. Instead, the radical Republicans pushed for a punishing agenda for the Reconstruction. -
Black Codes (Mississippi)
Mississippi became the first state to pass its form of the black codes. These laws severely restricted the rights of freed slaves. these laws caused an uproar in the North. This event was significant because it depicted how sectionalism was still evident after the war ended. Furthermore, the North saw the codes as reenslavement of the African-Americans. -
Civil Rights Bill
The Civil Rights Bill was a law that gave blacks citizenship and went against the Black Codes. Even though it was vetoed by Andrew Johnson, the Congress pushed through the Bill. Later, the Congress wanted the Bill to become an Amendment. However, the Southern states refused to acknowledge the amendment. This event depicted the increasing power of the Southern states and their dissent. -
Reconstruction Act
Through the passage of the Reconstruction Act, the South was divided into 5 military districts. Through the passage of the radical's Reconstruction Act, the South was forced to undergo strict process and laws. This Reconsruction Act forced much of the Southern states to comply and reform.
