-
First Issue of the Liberator
The Liberator was an abolitionist newspaper written by William Lloyd Garrison. It was issued weekly until the last issue was published on December 29, 1865. -
Compromise of 1850 passed
Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky suggested the Compromise of 1850. California would become a free state, and other new territories wouldn't have a limit on slavery. Also, slave trade would be illegal in Washington D.C., although slavery would still be legal. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin Published
Uncle Toms Cabin is an antislavery novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. This novel explains the cruel reality of slavery by telling the story of a slave named Uncle Tom. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act passed
The Kansas-Nebraska Act was proposed by Stephen A Douglas. It allowed Kansas and Nebraska to chose whether or not they wanted slavery, also called popular sovereignty. This repealed the Missouri Compromise. -
James Buchanan sworn into office as 15th President
James Buchanan was the 15th President of the United States of America. He served in office from 1857-1861. He was the President directly prior to the Civil War. He was in the Democratic Party. -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott was an African American slave that went to court to sue of his freedom. The Supreme Court ruled the case and said that slaves are property, not citizens, and can be taken to lands where slavery is legal without becoming free. -
John Brown's Raid at Harper's Ferry
John Brown led a group of abolitionists to the federal arsenal to take weapons to give to African Americans. Local citizens and federal troops stopped the raid. Brown was hanged for his crimes, but many people thought he had died for a cause. -
Abraham Lincoln elected President
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States. He was the first Republican President. His election caused South Carolina to secede from the Union. -
South Carolina secedes from the Union
If Abraham Lincoln was elected president, South Carolina had decided they would secede from the Union. So when he was elected, they did. South Carolina said they had voluntarily entered the Union, so the could voluntarily leave. -
Battle at Fort Sumter begins
Fort Sumter was located on an island off the coast of South Carolina. So although it was controlled by the Union, it was in Confederate territory. Fort Sumter was the location of where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. The fort was low on supplies, so Abraham Lincoln was sending supplies to the fort. But before they got there, the Confederates attacked, firing cannons from many locations. No one was killed, but there were a few injuries. The Civil War had now begun. -
First Battle of Bull Run begins
The Battle of Bull Run was the first official land battle in the Civil War. The Union marched to Virginia to face the Confederates. The Confederates defeated the Union. After the Union retreated, many people realized this war would not be won quickly or easily. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.It stated that all slaves living in the rebellious states (Confederate States) would be free. Although it didn't actually free any slaves, it turned the war into a fight for human freedom. This made it an important turning point. -
Battle of Gettysburg begins
The Battle of Gettysburg was a very important part of the Civil War. The Confederates marched to Pennsylvania. After a long fight, the Confederates were forced to retreat. This was one of the few times the Confederates had chose to take the offensive side. -
Sherman's March to the Sea begins
The Union marched from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia. The purpose of their "March to the Sea" was to scare the civilians of Georgia so they would no longer support the Confederate cause. They didn't destroy any towns, but they stole important items like livestock and food. -
The Surrender at Appomattox Court House
Confederate General Lee was forced to retreat 28,000 troops in Appomattox Court House, Virginia. This battle ended the Civil War. After 4 years of battle, the Union defeated the Confederacy. -
Lincoln's Assassination
Abraham Lincoln was watching a play called "Our American Cousin" in Ford's Theatre. John Wilkes Booth was a famous actor who had supported the Confederate cause. During the play, he shot and killed President Abraham Lincoln.
