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Republican Party is formed
This party was founded in the Northern states. They were opposed to the expansion of slavery. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act passed
This repealed the Missouri compromise, and created two new territories that allowed for popular sovereignty. -
Abraham Lincoln elected president
Lincoln won the majority of the popular vote. Almost all of his votes came from the North. He was a part of a new political party, the Republicans. -
South Carolina votes to secede from the United States
This was the first state to secede. The victory of Abraham Lincoln angered the South because of his stance and beliefs of slavery. -
Jefferson Davis elected president of the Confederacy
On this day, Jefferson Davis was elected. He was the first and only president of the Confederacy. He was also from Kentucky. -
Confederate forces fire on Fort Sumter
The fort was in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor. They fired because South Carolina could not tolerate a fort blocking their sea port. -
Lincoln suspends habeas corpus
Lincoln issued the Presidential Proclamation 94 which suspended it. It was a tool that prevented the government from unlawfully imprisoning people outside of judicial practices. -
Richmond becomes the capital of the Confederacy
The original capital of the confederacy was Montgomery, Alabama. It was moved to Richmond because of the recognition of Virginia's importance. -
First Battle of Bull Run is fought
This battle is also called the Battle of Manassas. It was the first major battle in the Civil War. -
The Merrimac and the Monitor fight of the Virginia coast
This fight had naval engagement from both sides. This fight gave them a glimpse into the future of naval warfare. -
Battle of Shiloh
It is also known as the Battle of Pittsburg. The fighting took place in southern Tennessee. -
Robert E. Lee is named commander of the Army of Northern Virginia
He is the main commander of the confederate army. The Union's troops were at the gates of Richmond. Lee made a series of counterattacks at the Seven Days Battle as well. He was one the best generals. -
Battle of Antietam
This battle is also referred to as the Battle of Sharpsburg, mostly in the southern state. This took place in Maryland. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
This battle was fought in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia. The battle took around 4 days. The Confederacy won this battle. -
Emancipation Proclamation is announced
Lincoln announced this when the nation approached it's third year of the Civil War. It stated that all people that were held as slaves within the rebellious states should be set free. -
Confederates surrender at Vicksburg
This gave the North control of the Mississippi River, which was a critical supply line for the Union. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
It was a major battle in the Civil War, as well as the engagement of the Chancellorsville campaign. -
Battle of Gettysburg
This was a three day battle, occurring in the Civil War. It was fought between the Union and the Confederacy. The battle was fought in and around Gettysburg, PA. -
New York City draft riots
These are sometimes referred to as the Manhattan draft riots. They were violent disturbances in lower Manhattan. -
Lincoln gives his Gettysburg Address
The address was given at the official dedication of the Soldiers National Cemetery. -
Congress passes the 13th Amendment
Emancipation became a national policy. The House of Representatives passed this amendment. -
Atlanta is captured
William T Sherman's troops at Atlanta was repulsed with many losses. They were forced to abandon Atlanta to the Union. -
Abraham Lincoln defeats George McClellan to win re-election
George McClellan got a majority of the electoral votes, but Lincoln still took the lead with the popular vote. The people were not only voting for a presidential candidate, but to determine the fate of the Union. -
Sherman begins his March to the Sea
This was the most destructive campaign against a population during the Civil War. It began in Atlanta, and concluded in Savannah. -
Freedman’s Bureau is created
This provided shelter, food, clothing, medical services, and more to displaced southerners, and newly freed slaves. -
Lincoln gives his second inaugural address
He gave this as the Civil War entered it's final weeks. He delivered it from the East Portico of the US Capital. -
Richmond falls to the Union Army
The Confederate army and government had to evacuate Richmond. Richmond was the biggest target for the Union because it was the confederate capital and it housed many weapons, supplies, and troops. -
Robert E. Lee surrenders at Appomattox
This surrender marked the end of the Civil War. Lee's army was running out of options, and a letter was sent to him requesting for him to surrender. -
President Lincoln assassinated
Former President Lincoln was killed by John Wilkes Booth at the Petersen House in Washington, DC. His assassin was a pro slavery fanatic. -
John Wilkes Booth is killed
He was an American stage actor, and he assassinated Abraham Lincoln. He was killed in Virginia.