Civil War Timeline
1850 - Compromise of 1850 California joined the Union and became a free state
Popular sovereignty for New Mexico and Utah
Popular sovereignty for New Mexico and Utah
1854 - The Kansas Nebraska Act The division of Nebraska in the north and Kansas in the south
Popular sovereignty for both territories
Became a law
Popular sovereignty for both territories
Became a law
1855 - Bleeding Kansas Kansas was being filled with supporters and opponents (some illegally from other states) to help win
the vote on slavery
Abolitionists mad
Tons of violence
the vote on slavery
Abolitionists mad
Tons of violence
1857 - The Dred Scott Decision A slave named Dred Scott was brought, by his owner, from Missouri (slave state) to Illinois
and Wisconsin (free states), and then back to Missouri
Dred Scott believed that since he was taken to and had lived in a free state, he was now a free
man
Brought his case to the Supreme Court - after years, was ruled against
and Wisconsin (free states), and then back to Missouri
Dred Scott believed that since he was taken to and had lived in a free state, he was now a free
man
Brought his case to the Supreme Court - after years, was ruled against
1858 - Lincoln-Douglas Debates Some of the most important and admired debates in U.S. history
Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln competed in a race for U.S. Senate
Lincoln challenged Douglas to a "debate-off" on the subject of slavery
Douglas won
Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln competed in a race for U.S. Senate
Lincoln challenged Douglas to a "debate-off" on the subject of slavery
Douglas won
1859 - Harper's Ferry John Brown led 21 men (black/white) into Harper's Ferry, Virginia on October 16th
Wanted to start a slave uprising
Unsuccessful - Brown was sentenced to death
Wanted to start a slave uprising
Unsuccessful - Brown was sentenced to death
1860 - Lincoln's Election Four candidates: Bell, Breckinridge, Douglas, and Lincoln
Lincoln didn't bring in a lot of votes, especially from the South
Lincoln won the election
Lincoln didn't bring in a lot of votes, especially from the South
Lincoln won the election
1861 - Fort Sumter On an island in Charleston harbor
The most important, Union fort
Attacked by the Confederates on April 12th
Bull Run Battle between the Union and Confederate armies at a creek 25 miles from Washington, D.C.
Confederates won this battle
Stonewall Jackson inspired this victory
The most important, Union fort
Attacked by the Confederates on April 12th
Bull Run Battle between the Union and Confederate armies at a creek 25 miles from Washington, D.C.
Confederates won this battle
Stonewall Jackson inspired this victory
1862 - Antietam Battle between the Union and Confederate armies on September 17th, near the Antietam creek
McClellan vs. Lee
More than 26,000 died - one of the most bloodiest battles of American history
Union victory
McClellan vs. Lee
More than 26,000 died - one of the most bloodiest battles of American history
Union victory
1863 - Emancipation Proclamation On January 1, Lincoln delivered Emancipation Proclamation
Two points: 1) the main goal of the war was to free the slaves
2) compromise was no longer possible
Gettysburg and Gettysburg Address Battle between the Union and Confederate armies that began on July 1
Buford/Meade vs. Hill
Total casualties = more than 30%
Union victory
Lincoln gave this speech in November at a Gettysburg remembrance ceremony
Created a unified nation
Changed American forever
Two points: 1) the main goal of the war was to free the slaves
2) compromise was no longer possible
Gettysburg and Gettysburg Address Battle between the Union and Confederate armies that began on July 1
Buford/Meade vs. Hill
Total casualties = more than 30%
Union victory
Lincoln gave this speech in November at a Gettysburg remembrance ceremony
Created a unified nation
Changed American forever
1864 - Andersonville Prison Built for a place with better security, and more food
More than 45,000 Union prisoners held here
Very bad living conditions - many died
More than 45,000 Union prisoners held here
Very bad living conditions - many died
1865 - Surrender at Appomattox Court House On April 9th, Lee and Grant privately met in this town to plan the Confederate
surrender
Within a month, the Civil War was over
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln On April 14th, Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theater in
Washington, D.C.
surrender
Within a month, the Civil War was over
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln On April 14th, Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theater in
Washington, D.C.
1865-1877 - Reconstruction The period in time when the United States was rebuilding after the Civil War
The process of putting the Confederate states into the Union
The process of putting the Confederate states into the Union