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The Liberator Goes Into Print
William Lloyd Garrison was one of the first white abolitionists to call for an immediate end to slavery. To take a stand, he started a newspaper called The Liberator. His newspaper called for an immediate release of all slaves. -
Compromise of 1850 is Passed
The Compromise of 1850 was proposed by Henry Clay in an attempt to resolve all conflict between the North and the South. California would be added as a free state, the slave trade in Washington D.C was put to an end, and slavery would be banned in new territories or states. Also, the Fugitive Slave act was passed, which said anyone who aided a fugitive would be fined or imprisoned. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin Is Published
Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote her novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, in response to the fugitive slave laws. Her book portrayed slavery as a cruel and brutal system that tore families apart. It inspired man people to unite and take a stand against slavery. Many have credited as the start of the Civil War. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act is Passed
The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed people in the Kansas and Nebraska territories to decide whether or not they would permit slavery within their borders. The act repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which banned slavery north of the 36 30 coordinate. -
James Buchanan is Sworn Into Office
James Buchanan was our 15th president. He served in office from 1857 to 1861. Buchanan was from Pennsylvania, and started his career in his home state's legislature, then went and served in both houses of the U.S. Congress, became a foreign diplomat, and a Secretary of State. Buchanan tried, and ultimately mad things worse, to keep peace between the pro-slavery supporters and anti-slavery supporters. -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott claimed that he should be free, since he had lived in free territories for long periods of time. The Supreme Court ruled that he was still a slave, not a citizen, and therefore could not sue. -
John Brown's Raid at Harpers Ferry
John Brown led a raid at Harpers Ferry. He attacked a federal arsenal, in hopes of arming enslaved people so they would rebel against their masters. Unfortunately, the raid was unsuccessful, and Brown was hanged. After the raid, there were mixed reactions. Some northerners praised Brown as a martyr, a person who dies fro his cause, while others rejected his use of violence. The southerners fear a northern conspiracy against them. -
Lincoln is Elected 16th President
Abraham Lincoln was elected as our 16th president after beating Douglas, Breckenridge, and Bell in the election. He was the first member of the Republican party to be elected as president. His election upset many southerners, causing some sates to secede. As a result to different sides began to form; the Union, or north, and the Confederacy, or south. -
South Carolina Secedes From the Union
After Lincoln was elected as President, South Carolina declared their independence from the Union. Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida soon followed, forming the Confederate States of America. Using state's rights to justify secession, they claimed the government had broken their contract. If the government couldn't abide by the laws of their country, they had every right to secede. -
Battle at Fort Sumter
President Lincoln received a message from Fort Sumter, which said they were low on supplies. Lincoln replied, saying that he would send unarmed troops to peacefully deliver supplies to the fort, as long as they were not fired upon. As soon as the Union troops arrived, the Confederacy fired upon them. Fort Sumter surrendered, without any lives lost. After that battle, Lincoln sent out a call for troops, The Civil War had begun. -
The First Battle of Bull Run
Union forces, led by General McDowell, had about 30,000 soldiers. The Confederate forces, led by General Beauregard, had much less men. The battle was fought near Bull Run River in Virginia. Some northerners were so confident the battle would be a Union victory, that they came to watch. Both sides were unprepared, but the Confederates eventually wore down the Union soldiers, causing the north to flee. The first major battle of the Civil War was a Confederate victory. -
The Battle of Shiloh
Led by Generals Albert Sidney Johnston and P.G.T. Beauregard, the Confederates held a surprise attack before the anymore soldiers could arrive to reinforce the Union. It ended up being narrow victory for the Union, but the casualty numbers were enormous. Together, the Union and Confederates had more than 23,000 losses, like people killed, missing or captured. After this battle the Union captured Memphis Tennessee and were well on their way of controlling the Mississippi River. -
The Battle of Antietam
The Confederates army broke into 4 parts. To confuse the Union, all groups went in different directions. Unfortunately, one of the rebel soldiers dropped the manuscript of where to go and the Union found it. The Confederates plan failed and the two armies met at Antietam in Maryland. This battle was a key victory for the Union, but it was also the deadliest single day of fighting. -
Battle at Fredericksburg
The Union had built pontoon bridges, planning a surprise attack against the Confederates. However, their enemy was ready. The Union's plan failed, and they retreated at the end of the day, due the large amount of casualties. -
The Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was passed to free all enslaved people held in any rebelling territory. It didn't go into effect overnight. All enslaved people held in the border states remained as property, since they were not in rebellion. Other slaves had to wait for a Union victory before being freed from their masters. It helped the government decide that slavery was wrong. -
Battle at Chancellorsville
The Battle at Chancellorsville was one General Lee's most important victories over the Union. He split his army into two to attack the Union, which ended up as a success. The Union retreated, although one of the southern Generals was severely injured. -
Battle at Gettysburg
This battle was considered one of the most important battles in the American Civil War. The Confederate and Union troops met at the Potomac. On the second and third days, the Confederates attacked and managed to brake the Union forces, although it eventually failed. This was a very important Union victory. -
Vicksburg Surrenders
After a few hours of fighting, the Unions forces had managed to surround Vicksburg, therefor surrounding Confederate soldiers. The Confederates surrendered, announcing a victory for the Union. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
General William T. Sherman, a Union General, led about 60,000 soldiers on a 285 mile journey from Atlanta to Savannah. His goal was to frighten citizens into abandoning the Confederate cause.. The soldiers did not harm any people. -
South Surrenders at Appomattox Courthouse
General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to the Union. Before he surrendered, General Lee abandoned Richmond and Petersburg. He want to rally the troops that remained and continue fighting. This event ended the Civil War.
