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Harper’s Ferry
John Brown led a group of abolitionists to raid the armory at Harper's Ferry. They tried to give the weapons to slaves but most of them didn't really want to revolt. -
Lincoln’s First Election
Lincoln was elected with 40% of the popular vote. Seven states immediately seceded when he was elected. -
South Secedes
The South began to secede after Lincoln's election, with South Carolina as the first to leave the Union on December 20th, 1860. It was soon joined by Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. After the Battle of Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, a second wave of secession took place. Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee all seceded at that time. -
Confederate States of America established
In Febuary, the Confederacy was officially formed. Davis was elected, and 11 states ended up joining. -
Writ of Habeas Corpus suspended
Lincoln suspended it twice. Then, congress suspended it as well. -
1st Battle of Bull Run
It was the first major battle of the Civil War. The Battle of Bull Run was fought in Prince William County, and was a Confederate victory. -
First Income Tax
The income tax was put into place because Lincoln needed money to fund the Civil War. People earning $600-$10,000 per year paid 3%. Those earning above $10,000 a year paid a higher percentage. -
1st Confiscation Act
An act that allowed Union army officials to take prisoner any slaves fighting for the Confederate Army. -
Trent Affair
A crisis involving Britain, Confederates, and Union. Two Confederate diplomats were taken off of the British ship Trent by Unions. It almost turned into an international crisis, but Lincoln freed the Confederates. -
Monitor v. Merrimack
Monitor vs. Merrimack was the first engagement ever between two iron-clad ships. The two ships battled in the Chesapeake Bay in Hampton Roads for five hours. It ended in a draw. -
Battle of Shiloh
Confederate forces suprised union troops and drove them across the Tennesee river. The Union got backup and won the battle. One of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War. -
Homestead Land Grant Act
Gave 160 acres of land to a head of a family who promised to live on the land for at least five years. They also had to pay a small fee and promise to improve the land in some way. -
Morrill Land Grant Act
This act gave each state 30,000 acres per senator and representative. The land was to be sold, and the money used to support colleges and education in the state. -
2nd Confiscation Act
This act stated that Confederate slaves were captives of war who "were to be forever free." This confiscation was also extended to any Confederate master, as well. -
Antietam
It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with about 23,000 casualties. It was a confederate win. -
Emancipation Proclamation Signed
Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves in the rebelling states. It didn't really do anything, because he didn't exactly have power over the Confederacy. -
National Draft Law instated
Because of decline in enlistments, Congress passed national draft law. Pretty much all young adult males were eligible to be drafted; but you could pay $300 to hire someone to go in your place. Some people sent slaves. -
Capture of New Orleans
Confederates expected an attack from the north, but Unions came from the south so the city was defenseless. The Confederates lost a trading hub and the center of South banking. -
Vicksburg
The Vicksburg Campaign of the Civil War was led by Grant and his army. In the final battle, they crossed the Mississippi River and drove the Confederate Army into the men surrounding the fortress city of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Was the turning point of the war. -
Capture of Atlanta
Started southeast of Atlanta, Georgia. Union forces led by William T. Sherman wanted to capture the rail and supply place. They defeated Confederate forces, then ordered the evacuation of the city. Sherman burned most of the buildings. -
Lincoln’s Re-election
Lincoln beat out McClellan to win presidency again. The war was in its fourth year, and he was the only one who knew how to handle it. -
Sherman’s March to the Sea
Destructive march through the south led by Sherman. He burned a ton of the south, especially Georgia. -
13th Amendment
This is the date the 13th Amendment passed the House, after previously passing Senate. It once and for all abolished slavery and involuntary servitude. -
Capture of Richmond
Confederate government fled the city with the army behind them on April 2nd. April 3, Unions entered the capital. Richmond was the peak of the Union war effort, the object of four years of campaigning. This was a big sign that the Confederacy was ending. -
Surrender at Appomattox
They fought outside the courthouse before the Confederates surrendered. They were surrounded, weak, and poor, so they surrounded to Union -
Lincoln’s Assassination
Lincoln was assisanated by John Wilkes Booth in Ford Theater during a play. He was shot in the head and died hours later.