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The Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad began in 1780, although it achieved the name 'railroad' in the 1800's. The Underground Railroad was an informal network of individuals (back and white, majority were Quakers) who used railroad words as code terms to helped escape slaves en route to North or to Canada. This organization was a large component of the abolitionists' effort in the war to end slavery. -
Invention of the Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in 1793. The cotton gin is a machine that separates cotton seeds from fibres, previously a slow and painful operation-the cotton gin renewed the processing of cotton. This innovation in turn resulted in a greater demand for a cheap labor force, that could only be provided by slaves. American prosperity in this century was founded on the cotton gin, cotton exports accounted for 58% of total exports by 1860 and the use of slavery to produce it. -
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Events Leading up to the Civil War
The events within this timespan make up the causes of the Civil War. Issues similar to economic differences, John Brown's raids, westward expansion, and Lincoln's election lead up to the bombardment of Fort Sumter which marked the beginning of the Civil War. -
Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves
The U.S. Congress passed a legislation to end the international slave trade on March 2, 1807. President Thomas Jefferson gladly signed the act, making it law. The act went into effect on January 1, 1808, prohibiting from that time on the importation of African slaves to the United States. Although the importation was banned, slaves already present in the United States could still be bought and sold. Regardless of the restriction by 1860 the slave population of the U. S. exceeded 4 million. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was the first effort to regulate the westward spread of slavery. Opponents of slavery objected to admitting Missouri to the Union as a slave state, since the Union was at that point perfectly balanced between 11 free states and 11 slave states. Meaning each side had equal representation in the US Senate, and neither may pass a law without the others approval. The Compromise called for Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free and no more slaves permitted north. -
Campaign for Abolition
Opposition to slavery was found in many forms beginning in the 1800's. However, William Lloyd Garrison, a newspaper publisher fronted a more active abolition campaign. He denounced slavery as immoral and demanded that it be eliminated from American society. Garrison and his collaborators were joined by free black men, including Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth, who throughout the 1840's worked to help slaves escape and forward abolition. -
The Compromise of 1850
By 1850, the California gold rush and Texas was of independence caused many Americans to doubt the continutation of the Missouri Compromise.Thus, the creation of the Compromise of 1850, which admitted California as a free state, and in the former Mexican lands, the settlers would determine the slavery question for their territory. In addition, slave trade was banned in Washington DC, as it offended many abolitionists. -
The Fugitive Slave Act
Congress in addition to passing the Compromise of 1850, passed The Fugitive Slave Act. The Act required the federal government to use its authority to apprehend and return escaped slaves to their masters. The Fugitive Slave Act, also imposed penalties on anyone assisting runaway slaves. Abolitionists were infuriated by the Fugitive Slave Act, but nonetheless doubled their efforts to assist former slaves to flee North or to Canada. Whereas, Northerners in Boston harassed those assisting slaves. -
The Publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin
In 1851 Harriet Beecher Stowe's bestselling novel 'Uncle Tom's Cabin,' in the racist age took the previously unseen approach of the presenting a sympathetic portrayal slavery. The novel revolves around a good-natured slave sold away from his family, this awakened the naive Northerners to the harsh reality of slavery. By 1854, only 3 years after publication, Stowe's novel has sold over 1 million copies. However, aware of the danger it posed several Southern states banned the book. -
Bleeding Kansas
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, created a struggle for the control of Kansas as supporters and opponents of slavery flooded the territory. Supporters from the east sent reinforcements and weapons to both sides in hopes their side would emerge victorious. The wars that commenced from the Act resulted in the burning of the free0soil town of Lawrence and John Brown responded with raids of equal force. Dozens of settlers were murdered, hence the name "Bleeding Kansas." -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 is said to have been one of the most significant events leading to the Civil War. This Act was imposed four years after the demise of the Compromise of 1850, as the pressures westward created a new crisis. Senator Douglas proposed the idea that local settlers should decide the issue of slavery in each territory. He proposed to organize two new territories, Kansas and Nebraska, which would stretch from the northern boarder of Texas to the 49th parallel. -
Creation of the Republican Party
The existing political parities; the Whigs and Democrats did not survive the strain of the slavery debate combined with the election of 1856. Many Northern Whigs and abolitionists combined to establish the Republican Party, which was committed to ending the westward spread of slavery. The leading political figures of this party was Abraham Lincoln, although he was not a devoted abolitionist he regared slavery as a 'monstrous injustice' and opposed the Fugitive Slave Act. -
Supreme Court Ruling on Dred Scott
In 1846, Dred Scott, a slave, sued for his freedom on the grounds that his residence in the free territory of Missouri meant that he was now free. Eleven years later the Supreme Court-held majority of Southern justices- rendered its judgement. Chef Justice Roger Taney ruled that since Scott was a slave, he was not a person, was labeled property and according to the Bill of Rights one could not deprive a slave owner of their property. Southerners rejoiced and Northerners denounced this decision -
Lincoln vs. Douglas
Abraham Lincoln received national attention in 1858, when he challenged Stephan Douglas for election as senator from Illinois. Although Douglas did not agree with slavery, he did not publicly advocate for abolishing slavery in the South, where as Lincoln argued that slavery must be abolished or it will result in the destruction of the Union. Evidently, Abraham Lincoln lost the election his debating against Douglas instituted him as the leader of the Republican Party and an opponent of slavery. -
Industrialization in America
The year 1859 marked the first time in United States history when the values of the industrial goods surpassed that of the agricultural goods produced. As a result, the North had adapted to the Industrial Revolution, the Southern way of life was proven outdated. This marked the beginning of a change in America that has been maintained in the 21st century. -
John Brown-Raid on Harper's Ferry, Virginia
On October 16, 1859 Brown and 21 volunteers, including five Africans captured prominent citizens and seized the federal armoury and arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. He had hopes that the local slaves would join the raid and as a result weapons would be supplied to slaves and abolitionists throughout the country. The success was short lived as, John Brown was captured by Colonel Robert E. Lee, tried and executed. Many Northerners rejected his methods others regarded him as a heroic martyr. -
Westward Expansion and the Question of Slavery
The takeover of Texas, California, and the other lands captured after the Mexican-American War forced the United States to determine question of slavery in the new territories. This was an issue as the US Senate, was equally balanced (as explained in the Missouri Compromise). By 1860, however, the balance had shifted from 18 slave states to 15 slave states. This invoked fear in Southerners as they worried the Senate was granting the North the power to govern the entire country. -
The Election of 1860
On November 6, 1860 Abraham Lincoln won the election as President of the United States. In the Electoral College Lincoln won 40% of the votes, beating Stephan Douglas with 30% and Breckinridge who swept the Southern states and Bell who took 3 border states. This election was deemed one of the most consequential in American history as the extension of slavery within the territories was up for question. The assumption of Lincoln's victory lead the South to threat secession. -
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Demise of Union- Creation of the Confederate States of America
Southerners believed that the election of a president whose party was dedicated to abolition threatened the survival of their economy as slavery was necessary for their economy. On December 20, 1860 South Carolina became the first state to secede; in the weeks prior six other states from Texas to Florida seceded as well. In February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven seceded states met in Montgomery, Alabama to establish the Confederate States of America, which would soon incorporate 11 states. -
Jefferson Davis As Confederate President
Jefferson Davis born on June 3rd 1808, a West Point graduate and former United States Army officer, was elected as the president of the Confederate States of America. -
Lincoln Sworn In
March 4, 1861 was the First inauguration of Abraham Lincoln. He was sworn in as the 16th president of the United States, during a partly finished Capitol building. -
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President Andrew Johnson
President Andrew Johnson was a democrat whom swore into office on March 4, 1861, he served one term until April 15, 1865. Johnson was a Southerner who had remained loyal to the Union and by the end of 1865 (or by the end of his time in office), ten out of the eleven states had met Union requirements and Johnson proudly proclaimed to civilians that the Union would soon be restored. -
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Civil War
[Website displays multiple video's outlining the important events from 1861-1865](www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-history)The beginning of the Civil War occurred when the Confederates bombarded the Union soldiers at Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861. Robert E. Lee surrendered the last major Confederate army to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865, this marked the end of the war. The Civil War resulted in the death of more than 620,000, with millions more injured.The events in between the beginning and end of this timespan were significant actions within the Civil War. -
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Fort Sumter
In the beginning of 1861,Lincoln and Davis began to prepare for war, the cause of the tension in Fort Sumter was a result of South Carolina's secession. Lincoln sent ships to relieve Fort Sumter, but before they arrived the Davis ordered the Confederate forces to capture the fort. On April 12, 1861 the invasion had began and after two days, the fort ceded. The bombardment at Fort Sumter marked the beginning of the Civil War. -
Robert E. Lee Takes Command of the Confederate Army
Lincoln had offered General Robert E. Lee complete command over the Union army at the beginning of the war. Although Lee was considering the offer, he inevitably decided that his duty and effort was owed to Virginia, his home state. In June 1861, Lee assumed command of the Army of Virginia, which he would lead for the rest of the war. Lee and his army achieved great success during the Peninsula Campaign and at Second Bull Run. However, two months later he was forced to surrender. -
Bull Run to Antietam
On July 21, 1861 the Battle Run to Antietam began, this was the first major land battle of the war. Near the city of Manassas, Virginia, General Pierre Beauregard headed the Confederate army, that resulted in a strategic victory over the Union forces that were led by General Irvin McDowell. The Northern soldiers fled back to Washington, DC, but the scattered Confederates failed to follow and exploit their advantage. -
Lincoln Appoints McClellan As Commandar
Acknowledging the need for a change in command, President Lincoln appoints George B. McClellan as Commander of the Department of the Potomac, the main Union army, substituting McDowell. McClellan began training his army and within months the Army of Potomac achieved 100,000 men however, he was hesitant to run a campaign. Lincoln's disapproval with the postponement led to the Seven Days Battles. -
The Trent Incident
On November 8, 1861 the Union vessel, San Jacinto intercepts the British ship ,Trent. Two Confederate agents were on the Trent en route to Europe in hopes of gaining support for the Confederate cause from the European powers. The British government objected to the seizure and threatened war. However, neither side truly wanted war, with the help of the Prince Albert and the American Secretary of State, the two countries found a solution; the US would apologize and free the two men. -
Jefferson Davis' Inaugural Address
In Jefferson Davis' inaugural address on February 18, 1861 he argued that secession was consistent with the founding fathers ideas in the Declaration of Independence, the government required the approval of the public. According to Davis, the South's independence posed no threat, Davis proposed the North to allow Confederacy to exist without menace. Despite his efforts the Northerners still overwhelmingly demanded that the Union be maintained. -
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Seven Days Battle
Abraham Lincoln urging McClellan to attack resulted in The Seven Days Battles. These were a series of six major battles over the seven days from June 25 to July 1, 1862, near Richmond, Virginia. In which, once again the Confederates led by Robert E. Lee had defeated the Union forces. -
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Fredericksburg
Website provides a brief description of the battle in addiontion to a video highlighting the map and route taken during the war. On December 11, 1862 Union armies attempted an attack on General Lee's army in Fredericksburg, Virginia. By December 15, 1862 this attack drastically failed and resulted in a loss of 12,653 Union men after 14 frontal assaults. Whereas, Confederate losses were only approximately 5,309. Union victory remained incomprehensible. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, as the nation had approached the third year of war. The proclamation stated "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free." Although the Proclamation did not end slavery, it changed a mentality towards the war and gave the soldiers an issue greater than politics to fight about. However, not all individuals had a positive mentality change, this lead to riots in New York City. -
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The Battle of Gettysburg
This is a reputable website that provides written information on the battle, in addtion to a video that solidifies the knowledge gathered.The Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, is considered the most important engagement of the American Civil War and the largest battle fought in American history. When General Lee led another invasion of the North-in a last effort to weaken the North and draw in Britain. At Gettysburg, Pennsylvania the Confederate army met a Union force headed by General George Meade. The battle lasted 3 days, in which Lee's army had been beaten by a powerful and well organized Union force. -
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Tensions within the Union
Video outlines the issues regarding the draft and the emotions towards the Emancipation Proclamation In July 1863, riots broke out in New York City to protest against the Emancipation Proclamation, combined with the hostility towards war, and economic tensions sparked the worst rioting seen in American history. Much of the opposition came from the poor Irish and German immigrants as they believed that the burden of fighting and dying was only on them because wealthier Americans paid others to serve for the war in their place. These immigrants did not want to fight for others much less slaves. -
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address is a speech written and delivered by Abraham Lincoln on the November 19, 1863. The speech was a dedication for the Soldier’s National Cemetery, a cemetery for Union soldiers killed at the Battle Of Gettysburg during the Civil War. The speech reminds Americans of the principles that the founding fathers established America on and calls upon civilians to carry out these principles of liberty and the notion that all men are created equal. -
The 13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment, was passed by Congress on January 31, 1865. This Amendment was the first of three Reconstruction Amendments established in the five years following the Civil War. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the United States, and was ratified December 6, 1865. -
Freedmen's Bureaus
The Ku Klux Klan is best described through the protrayal within the video, of the grusome yet loyal Confederates With the collapse of the plantation market, many former slaves found themselves with no support and nowhere to live. The way to address this urgent need was through the Bureau of Refugees, Freedman and Abandoned Lands, properly known as the Freedmen’s Bureau. The Bureau provided food, clothing, and any other essentials to the poor Southerners whom needed it. This organization was initiated by Abraham Lincoln and established on March 3, 1865. -
Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address
Lincoln had a powerful vision for reconstructing America when he took a second oath in office. His second inaugural address was delivered on March 4, 1865 as the Civil War was close to completion. The address was roughly 700 words in which he discussed the causes of war. In addition he argued that four years of a tedious war was worth the termination of slavery. Lincoln believed that the four years of war and all the casualties was a punishment for the suffering Americans had placed upon slaves -
Confederate Surrender at Appomattox
Ulysses S. Grant's army had closed in on the Confederate capital of Richmond, this prompted General Lee and the Confederate government vacated their capital in flame. Inevitably, General Lee and his remaining troops had surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia on April 9, 1865. This marked the end of the Civil War, after four years of fighting civilians had grown tired and seen enough of war. -
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Civil War Reconstruction
The video provided by the History website explains a brief summary of the years of reconstruction. The video also helps explain the post-war efforts in elementary terms. In Lincoln's second inaugural address, he states his vision for recreating the nation post-Civil War. Reconstruction is the program for social legislation that would grant rights to those of colour and the Union would be restored. -
The Loss of Lincoln
The video provided by the History website on Lincoln's assasination is helpful as it provides a visual of the event because there is no video evidence. Also the video posses many questions; why had Lincoln left himself so ungaurded? </a>Five days after General Lee's surrender on the Confederate behalf, April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was shot at Ford's Theatre in Washington by a Confederate named John Wilkes Booth. Booth murdered the president in hopes of achieving revenge from the Confederate defeat. Both the North and South were devastated over the assassination, as the South recognized that Lincoln was the only individual who held the power to reunite the states and the North had lost the "great Emancipator." -
The Ku Klux Klan
The Ku Klux Klan was a secretive organization that assaulted and murdered former slaves and Northerners who had come to assist them, this organization was funded in December 24, 1865. The objective of this organization was to end reconstruction as they did not agree with the 13th Amendment (abolishing slavery). The Ku Klux Klan constructed violent campaigns in predominately white areas as they hoped to invoke fear in those who assisted former slaves. -
The 14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment was passed on June 8, 1866 and ratified on July 28, 1868. The Republican Party hoped to protect the rights of former slaves as well as restrict former Confederate politicians from pursuing election in Congress, this was the purpose of passing the 14th Amendment. The Republicans saw this as a way of protecting their majority by preventing an overbearing increase of Southern democrats. -
The 15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment was adapted by Congress on February 26, 1869, and ratified February 3, 1870. The Fifteenth Amendment declared that no male citizen could be denied the right to vote because of their race. This allowed the federal government to intervene in southern elections- even sending military force if needed. However, this amendment could be looked at as hypocritical because the Republicans only forced this upon the south and not the northern states. -
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President Ulysses S. Grant
The nation was determined to enhance the process of Reconstruction in the wake of the attempted impeachment of Johnson, prompting the republicans to select a civilian favourite, former Union General Ulysses S. Grant as their candidate for president. Passing the 15th Amendment had ensured a republican victory as now the former slaves in the South were presented the opportunity to vote and naturally voted in favour of the man whom assisted them in their struggle for freedom. -
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The Depression of 1873
The rapid railroad expansion following the Civil War, prompted the economic depression of 1873, when worry regarding railroad bonds lead to a financial crash. Eventually, over half of the American railroads had defaulted, as they were unable to pay the interest on their bonds. Within several years over 100 New York banks had collapsed and many businesses had failed. The negative effects of the depression fell upon those in the working class as unemployment rates had exceeded 25%. -
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President Rutherford B. Hayes- End of Reconstruction
The political corruptions caused Ulysses S. Grant to retire after serving two terms. The new election held two promising candidates, The Democratic Party candidate Tilden, who had earned 250,000 more votes than his opponent, the Republican candidate Hayes. It looked as if Tilden had won however, the Republicans were determined to maintain power. Resulting in several states declaring Hayes had majority of the votes and being accused of fraud, evidently Hayes won the presidential election of 1877.
