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Period: to
Civil War
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Jefferson Davis Proposes Secession
Jefferson Davis proposes the idea of secession for the first time. -
Jefferson Davis Resolution
Jefferson Davis, Mississippi Senator at this time, proposed solutions to the Federal government that said they must prohibit slavery in the territories and even protect slaveholders. He did this in hopes of uniting people against Stephen Douglas, a presidential candidate. -
The Cooper Institute
After being photographed by Matthew Brady, Abraham Lincoln speaks at the Cooper Institute in New York City. -
Consitutional Union Party
Former members of the Whig party met in Baltimore, Maryland to create the Constitutional Union Party. Its delegates nominated John Bell of Tennessee for president and Edward Everett of Massachusetts for vice-president. -
Lincoln Presidential Nomination
Abraham Lincoln is nominated for president by the Rupublican convention in Chicago. -
Democratic Convention
Southern delegates met in Baltimore, Maryland and nominated John C. Breckinridge for president and Joseph Lane for vice-president. They called for the protection of rights to own slaves. -
Lincoln Elected
Lincoln was elected 16th president beating Stephen A Douglass(democrat). -
State of Union Adress
James Buchanan's cabinet was unable to make a compromise as the cabinet was split on deciding how to deal with the secessions. -
Crittenden Compromise
Kentucky Senator John J. Crittenden proposed the Crittenden Compromise, which consisted of six constitutional ammendments and four resolutions to address Southern concerns. Nevertheless, it was unsuccessful. -
South Carolina Secession
South Carolina first to go defying Lincoln, following in next 6 weeks: Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Lousiana, & Texas -
Mississippi Secession
Mississippi 2nd state to secede from Union. -
Florida Secession
Florida 3rd state to secede from Union. -
Confederacy Forms
Seceding states begin joining together against Lincoln and Union. -
Lincoln's Inauguration Day
Lincoln's swearing in for his second term. He recieved a message from Major Anderson on this day. -
James Buchanon Replaced by Lincoln
In office March 4, 1857 – March 4, 1861. March 4 Lincoln took office. -
Fort Sumter Surrendered to South
First shot fired by South at North. Robert Anderson surrendered the fort to the South and evacuated. -
Anaconda Plan Developed
General Winfield Scott came up with the Anaconda Plan after the loss of Fort Sumter. The plan was to
1) Navy would blockade the confederate ports to stop imports & exports
2) Union military & navy would move down Mississippi to split Confederacy
3) Capture the capitol, Richmond, Virginia -
Tennessee Secession
Tennessee was the last state to secede from the Union on June 8th 1861 joining the Confederate cause. -
1st Battle of Bull Run
First major battle of the civil war. The confederates won causing a Union retreat. It was the largest and bloodiest US battle in history up to that point. -
McClellan Appointed General-in-chief
President Lincoln appoints McClellan as general-in-chief of all Union forces after the resignation of the aged Winfield Scott. -
Grant Captures Fort Henry
Grant invaded the western Tennessee. He fought at Fort Henry on the Tennessee River capturing it with an unconditional surrender from the South therefore earning his nickname "Unconditional Surrender". -
Grant Captures Fort Donelson
Grant invaded the western Tennessee. He fought at Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River capturing it with an unconditional surrender from the South therefore earning his nickname "Unconditional Surrender". -
Battle of Shiloh
Battle nearby a church. Ulysses S Grant led the Union side ti a victory at this battle. -
Battle of Seven Pines
The Battle of Seven Pines as Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's Army attacks McClellan's troops in front of Richmond and nearly defeats them. But Johnston is badly wounded. -
General Robert E Lee takes Command of Confed
Gen. Robert E. Lee assumes command, replacing the wounded Johnston. Lee then renames his force the Army of Northern Virginia. McClellan not impressed. -
The Seven Days Battles Begins
The Seven Days Battles as Lee attacks McClellan near Richmond, resulting in very heavy losses for both armies. -
The Seven Days Battles Ends
McClellan then begins a withdrawal back toward Washington after heavy loss of army. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
Another Confederate win at the Bull Run. -
Battle of Antietam
McClellan caused Lee to retreat with the Confederacy but did not go after them because he was very cautious. He later gets criticized by his cautious choices by many including Grant who says "I'd like to borrow McClellan's army if he is not going to use it." Known as the bloodiest battle. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, Virginia. Another failed attempt by the Union. -
Lincoln Issues Emanipation Proclamation
Proclamation declares "that all persons held as slaves ... are, and henceforward shall be free." -
General Joe Hooker appointed Commander of the Army of Poromac
President appoints Gen. Joseph (Fighting Joe) Hooker as Commander of the Army of the Potomac, replacing Burnside. -
General Grant command Army of the West
Gen. Grant is placed in command of the Army of the West, with orders to capture Vicksburg. -
Draft Enacted
The U.S. Congress enacts a draft, affecting male citizens aged 20 to 45, but also exempts those who pay $300 or provide a substitute. "The blood of a poor man is as precious as that of the wealthy," poor Northerners complain. -
Conscription (draft)
Congress creates 1st draft in American history, requiring every man to serve in the army unless he can pay the government $300. This leads to draft riots in New York and other northern cities. -
Southern Bread Riots
The riots were triggered by the women's lack of money, provisions, and food. -
Chancellorsville
The Union Army under Gen. Hooker is decisively defeated by Lee's much smaller forces at the Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia as a result of Lee's brilliant and daring tactics. Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson is mortally wounded by his own soldiers. Hooker retreats. Union losses are 17,000 killed, wounded and missing out of 130,000. The Confederates, 13, 000 out of 60,000. -
Jackson Dies by Friendly Fire
Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson dies from wounds recieved from friendly fire when he was mistakenly shot by his own troops at Chancellorsville. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Turning point in the war in favor of the Union. In Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. -
Gettysburg Address
Lincoln delivers his speech that honors all of those who lost their lives during the Battle of Gettysburg. This speech is extremely popular now and is known throughout history. -
Union Prison Escape
109 Union officers escape from Libby Prison led by Colonel Thomas Rose on the banks of the James River in Richmond. 59 reach Union lines escaping. -
Sumpter Prison Camp (Andersonville)
In Georgia, Sumter Prison Camp opens. Universally referred to as Andersonville Prison Camp, it becomes notorious for overcrowded conditions, disease, and other inhumane conditions that casue a high death rate among its inmates. -
Grant Appointed Union Comander
President Lincoln nominates Ulysses S Grant for lieutenant general. -
Fort Pillow Captured
Confederates capture this fort held by Union troops. Confederates accused of killing Union soldiers after they had surrendered thus, a massacre. -
Atlanta Campaign
Accompanied by three Union armies, Sherman marches towards Georgia from Tennessee. He is fighting for Atlanta and is against the Confederate army under Joseph Johnston. -
Battle of Cold Harbor
The bloody battle of Cold Harbor is a disaster for the Union. General Ulysses S. Grant makes a series of tactical mistakes that result in the deaths of 7,000 Union in twenty minutes. -
Sinking Again
Cherbourg, France, Union boat "Kearsarge" sunk Confederate "Alabama." Unlike last time, Union was victorious. -
Confederate Fleet Destoryed
18 Union ships sail past entrance to Mobile Bay. The C.S.S. Tennessee, prized ironclad of the Confederate Navy awaited the attack. As the U.S.S. Tecumseh sinks Admiral David Farragut orders torpedoes. His flag vessel Hartford took the lead. The ships destroyed the Confederate fleet. -
Fall of Atlanta
Sherman's army able to take control of Atlanta, Georgia after Confederate troops evacuated the city. It was only after several difficult battles was Confederate General Hood able to make the call. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
On this day in history, Sherman's army of Georgia began their "March to the Sea." The purpose of this was to frighten Georgia's untrained militia and civilian population into abandoning the Confederate cause. -
Lincoln Second Term
President Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated for his second term as president in Washington, DC. -
Evacuation from Richmond
Grant and the Union break Lee's lines at Petersburg, causing Lee to evacuate. Confederate capital, Richmond, also evacuated. Union troops swiftly enter and raise US flags. -
Fall of Richmond
The Union invaded and the city fell on April 3rd 1865 with large amounts of the city on fire while evacuation. -
Confederates Surrender
Confederates surrender to the Union under Lee at the village of Appomattox Court House. -
Lincoln's Assassination
Lincoln assassinated in theatre by John Wilkes Booth. -
Lincoln's Death
Lincoln dies next day after being shot. Andrew Johnson, vice president at the time, took his place as the leader of the United States. -
Confederation Surrender
Union General Sherman receives a surrender from Confederate Joseph E. Johnston near Durham, North Carolina. -
Last Battle
Union General Sherman gets surrender from Confederate Joseph E. Johnston close to Durham, North Carolina. -
Booth's Assassination
Ten days after he fatally shot the Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth is killed in a tobacco barn in VA. -
Battle of Palmito Ranch
Last engagement with casualities of civil war. Took place at Palmito Ranch, Texas. The Union won. -
Veto-ed Civil Rights Act
Johnson vetoes the Civil Rights Act of 1866 believing it to be 'unconstitutional.' -
United Again
Congress formally declares the US is at peace with Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, once again the United States of America. -
Half Cent 'Death'
Congress approves the minting of a five cent piece, eliminating the half dime. -
Winfield Scott Death
United States Army general, and unsuccessful presidential candidate of the Whig Party in 1852 passes away. -
14th Amendment Ratified
14th Amendment ratified freeing african americans and granting them civil rights. -
Tennessee Plays Along with 14th Amendment
In order to avoid the Second Reconstruction, Tennessee quickly ratifies the 14th Amendment. -
Tennessee - First State Back in Union
Tennessee becomes first state re-admitted to the Union. -
KKK Investigation
With african americans just gaining freedom many people are still against it and the government begins investigating the hate group called the Ku Klux Klan. -
Texas Peace - 14th Amendment Disagreement
President Johnson issues proclamation of peace with Texas. A few months later, Texas is still rejecting the 14th Amendment. -
South Carolina 14th Ammendment
South Carolina rejects the 14th ammendment. -
African Americans DC Vote
African Americans in Washington DC gain the right to vote. Congress overrides Johnson's veto to pass this bill. -
Nebraska 37th State
Nebraska officially becomes the 37th state. -
Military Rule Over Mississippi
As Second Reconstruction goes on, Federal army secures military rule over Mississippi. -
Tenure of Office Act Passed
Congress passes the Tenure of Office Act. This prevents the president from removing officials who had been appointed with the consent of Congress. -
Alexandria, Virginia Declines African American Votes
Alexandria, Virginia rejects thousands of votes from African-Americans who had been granted universal suffrage under the Reconstruction Act. -
Reconstruction Act II
Over Johnson's veto, Congress passes the 2nd Reconstruction Act. This declared that the military commanders were responsible for handling elections and registering voters in their territories. -
Alaska Purchase
Alaska is purchased, making it the second to last state to join the United States. -
Edwin Stanton Resignition Demanded
President Andrew Johnson demands the resignation of Edwin Stanton as Secretary of War. -
Georgia 14th Ammendment
Georgia rejects the 14th ammendment. -
President Johnson Impeachment Considered
Because of his lack of effectiveness with reconstruction, Congress looks into impeaching President Johnson.