Timeline of Major Events in the American Civil War
Compromise of 1850 (1850)
In 1850 Senator Clay from Kentucky proposed a compromise that would resolve several disputes that were going on at the time, such as boundary lines, and whether or not slavery would be allowed in both new and old territory. The compromise consisted of several bills, the most controversial one was the Fugitive Slave Act. This Act called for all white people to assist in capturing fugitive slaves and made it illegal for accused fugitives to testify in court. Because of these laws, it became way easier for people of color to be captured and forced into slavery even if they were free. Zachary Taylor was the president at the time the bill was proposed. He was opposed to it, but, he died and his successor Millard Fillmore believed the compromise was a good idea. The bill then became a law. |
The Kansas Nebraska Act (May 30, 1854)
The Kansas Nebraska act was passed on May 30, 1854. It repealed the Missouri compromise of 1820 and made it so that slavery laws in Kansas and Nebraska would be decided by popular sovereignty. The people in the South were happy about this new opportunity for slavery in this area while people in the North were upset about the possible loss of a free state. Both people from the North and the South rushed to Nebraska and Kansas to vote in the election which would determine whether or not slavery would be legal in this territory. Disputes between the pro-slavery settlers and the anti-slavery settlers turned violent as they could not agree. |
Bleeding Kansas (1855-1861)
The time of violent political events that followed the Kansas Nebraska Act was called bleeding Kansas. People from both the North and South rushed to Kansas to sway the election. Border Ruffians from Missouri moved into Kansas to vote pro-slavery and were willing to kill those who opposed. By the time the votes were being cast, a least 5,000 pro-slavery Missourians had come to Kansas to illegally participate. They largely outnumbered the anti-slavery settlers and won the vote. In disagreement with the legitimacy of the votes, pro-slavery politicians created their own government. In 1856, pro-slavery men rode into the free town of Lawrence and destroyed buildings and homes. This was only the beginning of violence in Kansas as a civil war would soon break out. Only a couple days after the sack of Lawrence, an anti-slavery supporter John Brown and some of his men snuck into the pro-slavery village of Pottawatomie Creek and tormented and killed 5 people. These sack of Lawrence and the Pottawatomie Creek massacre led brutal guerilla warfare in Kansas. |
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The Dred Scott Decision (1857)
Dred Scott was a black slave from Missouri. He was taken to posts in Illinois and Minnesota for several years and when he returned to Missouri a problem arose regarding whether or not he should still be free as he had been in the north, or a slave as he had been when he lived in the south. The decision was taken to Supreme court after 11 years and it became a major decision across the country. At the time the supreme court was overpowered by pro-slavery justices who believed that once a person is a slave, it does not matter where they go, they will always remain a slave. The Dred Scott Decision led to rising tension between the North and South.
Dred Scott was a black slave from Missouri. He was taken to posts in Illinois and Minnesota for several years and when he returned to Missouri a problem arose regarding whether or not he should still be free as he had been in the north, or a slave as he had been when he lived in the south. The decision was taken to Supreme court after 11 years and it became a major decision across the country. At the time the supreme court was overpowered by pro-slavery justices who believed that once a person is a slave, it does not matter where they go, they will always remain a slave. The Dred Scott Decision led to rising tension between the North and South.
Lincoln – Douglas Debates (1857)
In the months preceding the election for senators, two politicians from Illinois attracted a lot of attention from the public of America. People came from all around Illinois and surrounding states to see the debates and participate in asking questions and cheering for the participants. Douglas was very consistent with his continual support of Popular Sovereignty. He believed every state and new territory had the right to self government and choosing for themselves if slavery would be legal or not. Lincoln opposed this idea with the belief that “a house divided against itself cannot stand”. He thought that the best way to strengthen our country and avoid disunion was to have the same laws on slavery in all states. In the end, neither Douglas or Lincoln won the place as a senator, but, these debates would be continued in the Presidential election of 1859. |
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Harper's Ferry (1859)
This was an attack on the federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia led by John Brown and other abolitionists. Brown’s goal was to free and arm slaves to fight against their slaveholders. But soon after they attacked Brown was captured. This event raised the tension between the North and South and amplified the fear in Southerners of uprising slaves.
This was an attack on the federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia led by John Brown and other abolitionists. Brown’s goal was to free and arm slaves to fight against their slaveholders. But soon after they attacked Brown was captured. This event raised the tension between the North and South and amplified the fear in Southerners of uprising slaves.
Lincoln’s Election (November 1860)
Lincoln was the Republican candidate for the election and was running against Stephen Douglas the Democratic candidate. Lincoln’s debates with Douglas throughout the election helped him win over votes, mainly in the North, by supporting anti slavery. He went on to become the 16th president of the United States. Although he won the election he upset many Southerners in the process leading them to consider succession. |
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Fort Sumter (1861)
After the Confederate states seceded from the North the took control of the federal property in their territory. Yet they had not been able to capture Fort Sumter. Lincoln announced that he was intending on sending a ship to resupply and help out Fort Sumter. General Jefferson Davis decided to attack the Fort before the shipped reached land. For 33 hours Davis attacked the fort until they finally surrendered, thus starting the Civil War.
After the Confederate states seceded from the North the took control of the federal property in their territory. Yet they had not been able to capture Fort Sumter. Lincoln announced that he was intending on sending a ship to resupply and help out Fort Sumter. General Jefferson Davis decided to attack the Fort before the shipped reached land. For 33 hours Davis attacked the fort until they finally surrendered, thus starting the Civil War.
Bull Run (1861)
Battle of Bull Run was the first major battle of the Civil War. Since becoming president, Lincoln was pressured by many into attacking the South. At this time Confederate troops were gathering near the Bull Run River in 25 miles south of Washington, D.C. Lincoln believed a victory for the Union would end the war quickly, and sent troops to the River. Instead the Confederates attacked the Union causing them to retreat back to safety. THis Battle ended in a loss for the Union |
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Antietam(1862)
Jefferson Davis and Confederate general Robert E. Lee believed if they were able to invade the North and succeed this would result in the North accepting the South’s independence. Union general George B. McClellan heard about Lee’s plan and stationed troops on the Antietam Creek. Lee commanded his troops to attack the North. The Battle of Antietam resulted in 6,000 deaths and 17,000 wounded. After the battle Lee retreated to Virginia and it was a victory for the Union.
Jefferson Davis and Confederate general Robert E. Lee believed if they were able to invade the North and succeed this would result in the North accepting the South’s independence. Union general George B. McClellan heard about Lee’s plan and stationed troops on the Antietam Creek. Lee commanded his troops to attack the North. The Battle of Antietam resulted in 6,000 deaths and 17,000 wounded. After the battle Lee retreated to Virginia and it was a victory for the Union.
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Emancipation Proclamation(1863)
President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation was an executive order that claimed to change the legal status of 3 million slaves in designated areas of the South from "slave" to "free". The actual effect the proclamation had was when a slave escaped the Confederate Government, either by running away or if the area they were in was liberated, they were then legally free. The Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in ten states.
President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation was an executive order that claimed to change the legal status of 3 million slaves in designated areas of the South from "slave" to "free". The actual effect the proclamation had was when a slave escaped the Confederate Government, either by running away or if the area they were in was liberated, they were then legally free. The Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in ten states.
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Gettysburg and Gettysburg Address(1863)
From July 1–3, in 1863 there was a battle now known as The Battle of Gettysburg fought between The Union Army and The Confederate Army. This battle was considered the turning point in the American Civil War, it was also the battle that had the most casualties. The Gettysburg Address was a speech, one of the most popular in history, delivered by then president Abraham Lincoln. In just over two minutes Lincoln was able to restate the principles of human equality and defined The Civil War as as a struggle for the principle of human equality.
From July 1–3, in 1863 there was a battle now known as The Battle of Gettysburg fought between The Union Army and The Confederate Army. This battle was considered the turning point in the American Civil War, it was also the battle that had the most casualties. The Gettysburg Address was a speech, one of the most popular in history, delivered by then president Abraham Lincoln. In just over two minutes Lincoln was able to restate the principles of human equality and defined The Civil War as as a struggle for the principle of human equality.
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Andersonville Prison(1864)
Andersonville Prison also known as Camp Sumter was a Confederate prisoner of war camp stationed in Andersonville, Georgia. The prison was run by Henry Wirz who, after the war, was tried and executed for war crimes. Andersonville prison is still standing and was preserved during the final 12 months of The American Civil War. Of the 45,000 prisoners who were held at Andersonville Prison during the war, 13,000 people died. The conditions of the prison were repulsive and filled with disease with many of the prisoners dying from diarrhea and dysentery.
Andersonville Prison also known as Camp Sumter was a Confederate prisoner of war camp stationed in Andersonville, Georgia. The prison was run by Henry Wirz who, after the war, was tried and executed for war crimes. Andersonville prison is still standing and was preserved during the final 12 months of The American Civil War. Of the 45,000 prisoners who were held at Andersonville Prison during the war, 13,000 people died. The conditions of the prison were repulsive and filled with disease with many of the prisoners dying from diarrhea and dysentery.
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Surrender at Appomattox Court House(1865)
The Surrender at Appomattox Court House occurred during the Battle at Appomattox Court House. The Battle was one of the last battles fought during The American Civil War. It was the final battle that Robert E. Lee fought in because during the battle he surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant and the Union Army. The signing of the surrender document occurred on April 9th in the parlor of the Court House. The surrender of The Virginia Confederate Army officially ended the war in Virginia.
The Surrender at Appomattox Court House occurred during the Battle at Appomattox Court House. The Battle was one of the last battles fought during The American Civil War. It was the final battle that Robert E. Lee fought in because during the battle he surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant and the Union Army. The signing of the surrender document occurred on April 9th in the parlor of the Court House. The surrender of The Virginia Confederate Army officially ended the war in Virginia.
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Assassination of Abraham Lincoln(1865)
As The American Civil War was ending President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14 1865. At the time he was shot he was attending the play Our American Cousin at the Ford Theater. The name of his assassin was John Wilkes Booth. John Wilkes Booth was a well known stage actor at the time and he was in favor of the Confederate Army. Lincoln died the next day at 7:22 am.
As The American Civil War was ending President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14 1865. At the time he was shot he was attending the play Our American Cousin at the Ford Theater. The name of his assassin was John Wilkes Booth. John Wilkes Booth was a well known stage actor at the time and he was in favor of the Confederate Army. Lincoln died the next day at 7:22 am.
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Reconstruction(1863-1877)
The Reconstruction Era occurred during the years 1863-1877. After the war steps needed to be taken in order to reconstruct the southern United States. President Lincoln and Vice President Johnson took positions to revive the south after the Civil War. Many Radical Republicans took steps towards upgrading the rights of freedmen and tried to impose harsh rules. Lincoln was taking steps in order for freedmen to be able to vote.
The Reconstruction Era occurred during the years 1863-1877. After the war steps needed to be taken in order to reconstruct the southern United States. President Lincoln and Vice President Johnson took positions to revive the south after the Civil War. Many Radical Republicans took steps towards upgrading the rights of freedmen and tried to impose harsh rules. Lincoln was taking steps in order for freedmen to be able to vote.