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Events Leading to the Civil War
A timeline of the events that lead to the Civil War -
Dred Scott Decision
U.S. Supreme court ruled against Dred Scott's appeal for freedom, sanctioning his continued slavery under the Constitution. Antislavery groups reacted, fearing spread of slavery. Republican party started their campaign. Dred Scott Case Trials -
Lecompton Constitution Rejected
Lecompton ConstitutionThe Lecompton Constitution favoring slave-holders was written in response to the 1855 anti-slavery Topeka Constitution, and voted on. However, Kansas voters rejected it 10,226 to 138, as well as the Federal House of Representatives. which divided the Democratic party and eventually led to Kansas becoming a free state in 1961. -
John Brown Raid on Harper's Ferry
Abolitionist John Brown led a raid on a federal armory on Harper Ferry, VA (now WV). They were stopped by marines and Brown was tried and hanged for treason. He wrote a final statement declaring, "I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood." His raid had increased political divisions over slavery. John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry -
Abraham Lincoln Wins Presidential Election
The Republican Party campaign in 1860 had been successful. Abraham Lincoln with his anti-slavery position got elected as the next President without the support of any southern states. The southern states reacted by secession (withdrawal) from the Union. This sparked the Civil War in the following year. Abraham Lincoln President -
Lincolns First Inaugural Address
Abraham Lincoln addressed the issues of slavery and secession in his first Inaugural Address. Though his speech had been modified to not provoke the southerners, they still took his speech as a challenge to go to war. Lincoln's First Inaugural Address -
Civil War Begins with Attack on Fort Sumter, NC
On April 12, 1861, Confederates attacked Fort Sumter in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina, starting the Civil War. The Attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861 Began the American Civil War -
Proclamation of Blockade
President Lincoln issued a Proclamation of Blockade against southern ports. This limited supplies to the South during the war. The blockade was done by Navy steam ships and went from North Carolina to Texas. The Blockading of Southern Seaports during the Civil War -
The Great Sumter Rally in Union Square
Northerners united against rebels in a massive rally at New York City's Union Square. They showed loyalty to the Union. General Robert E. Lee resigned his commission in the US Army and accepted an offer to command rebel Virginia military and naval forces. The Great Sumter Rally in Union Square -
Pres. Lincoln issues General War Order
"President Lincoln issues General War Order No. 1 calling for all United States naval and land forces to begin a general advance by February 22, George Washington's birthday."
(Lincoln's son Willie had died from fever February 20.) An ironclad Confederate ship sank two wooden Union ships, changing naval warfare. US Civil War 1861-1865 -
Emancipation Proclamation & Battles
Pres. Lincoln issued an executive order (as Commander in Chief of the armed forces) proclaiming freedom to slaves in all 10 rebel states. These states held 75 percent of all slaves. The direct abolition of slavery now became part of the Civil War. The Union armies suffered losses at Chancellorsville and Chickamauga. Confederates were defeated at Gettysburg. Lincoln Issues Emancipation Proclamation -
Ulysses Grant Appointed General of Union Army
President Lincoln appointed Gen. Ulysses Grant to command all the Union armies. Gen. William T. Sherman was appointed in Grant's place to command armies in the West. Union armies advanced in Virginia, Georgia, and Tennessee during the year, President Lincoln was re-elected November 8, 1864. Ulysses Grant Appointed -
Confederate General Surrenders - End of Civil War
Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his troops to Union General Ulysses S. Grant in Appomattox, Virginia . The Civil War had officially ended. Grant announced to officers "The war is over. The Rebels are our countrymen again." Robert E. Lee Surrenders -
Lincoln Assassinated
President Lincoln was shot in the head by John Wilkes Booth at 10:13 pm while watching the last act of a play. He passed away at 7:22 am the following morning. His assassination had been plotted by Confederacy members hoping to revive the Confederacy. Abraham Lincoln's Assassination -
Slavery Abolished by 13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment (passed by Congress on January 31, 1965) was ratified by all states and slavery was abolished. 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
