Timeline Of Events Of The American Civil War
1850 - September
The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was a combination of five bills that finally concluded the four-year war over slavery in the United States and the conflict of California expanding. The Compromise, which was drafted by Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky, avoided secession of the North and South and reduced conflicts between the two for four years. If it were not for the sudden death of President Zachary Taylor, who was a slaveowner but favored excluding slavery from the Southwest, the Compromise would not have been possible. The Compromise failed to pass in the early part of 1850 because of the different views of the pro-slavery southern Democrats and the anti-slavery northern Whigs. After separating Clay's bill into several smaller passages, the Cmpromise of 1850 was passed and California was a free state with more effective fugative slave laws, and one that allowed popular sovereignty.
The Compromise of 1850 was a combination of five bills that finally concluded the four-year war over slavery in the United States and the conflict of California expanding. The Compromise, which was drafted by Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky, avoided secession of the North and South and reduced conflicts between the two for four years. If it were not for the sudden death of President Zachary Taylor, who was a slaveowner but favored excluding slavery from the Southwest, the Compromise would not have been possible. The Compromise failed to pass in the early part of 1850 because of the different views of the pro-slavery southern Democrats and the anti-slavery northern Whigs. After separating Clay's bill into several smaller passages, the Cmpromise of 1850 was passed and California was a free state with more effective fugative slave laws, and one that allowed popular sovereignty.
1854 - January 23
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
The creation of the Kansas-Nebraska Act created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska which opened up new lands for settlement to those traveling West across the nation. When Stephen A. Douglas designed the Act in 1854, its origianl purpose was to open thousands of new farms, and make the Midwestern Transcontinental Railroad possible. The Act repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820 by allowing the settlers in those areas to decide on slavery through Popular Sovereignty.
The creation of the Kansas-Nebraska Act created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska which opened up new lands for settlement to those traveling West across the nation. When Stephen A. Douglas designed the Act in 1854, its origianl purpose was to open thousands of new farms, and make the Midwestern Transcontinental Railroad possible. The Act repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820 by allowing the settlers in those areas to decide on slavery through Popular Sovereignty.
1854 - 1861
Bleeding Kansas
Bleeding Kansas was a series of violent and political confrontations including the anti-slavery forces and the pro-slavery forces. The cause of the confrontations was the question of whether Kansas would enter the Union as a free-state or a slave-state. Pro-slavery settlers came to Kansas from their neighboring state of Missouri to vote on the ballots to allow slavery in the new territory, while anti-slavery supportors still tried to stand up for what the believed. At one point in time, Kansas had two different governments, each one with its own Constitution, but only one of the two was federally recognized. On January 29, 1861 Kansas was admitted to the Union as a free state which was less than 3 months before the start of the Civil War.
Bleeding Kansas was a series of violent and political confrontations including the anti-slavery forces and the pro-slavery forces. The cause of the confrontations was the question of whether Kansas would enter the Union as a free-state or a slave-state. Pro-slavery settlers came to Kansas from their neighboring state of Missouri to vote on the ballots to allow slavery in the new territory, while anti-slavery supportors still tried to stand up for what the believed. At one point in time, Kansas had two different governments, each one with its own Constitution, but only one of the two was federally recognized. On January 29, 1861 Kansas was admitted to the Union as a free state which was less than 3 months before the start of the Civil War.
1857
The Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott was born a slave in Virgina between the years 1795 and 1800. In the year 1820, Scott was taken by his owner, Peter Blow, to Missouri. The next year Peter died and Scott was purchased by a doctor, Dr. John Emerson, and moved to Illinois and then Wisconsin, both free states, and then later back to Missouri, a slave-state. Scott had appealed to the Supreme Court in hopes that he could be granted his freedom. Roger B. Taney, who was an extreme supporter of slavery and intent on protecting the South from northern agression, wrote that because Scott was black, he was not a citizen and then therefore, had no right to sue or become free. The court finally ruled again Scott, but Frederick Douglass found a bright side to the court's decision saying, "my hopes were never brighter than now". Which meant, for Douglass, the decision would bring slavery to the attention of the nation and it was a step towards the destruction of it.
Dred Scott was born a slave in Virgina between the years 1795 and 1800. In the year 1820, Scott was taken by his owner, Peter Blow, to Missouri. The next year Peter died and Scott was purchased by a doctor, Dr. John Emerson, and moved to Illinois and then Wisconsin, both free states, and then later back to Missouri, a slave-state. Scott had appealed to the Supreme Court in hopes that he could be granted his freedom. Roger B. Taney, who was an extreme supporter of slavery and intent on protecting the South from northern agression, wrote that because Scott was black, he was not a citizen and then therefore, had no right to sue or become free. The court finally ruled again Scott, but Frederick Douglass found a bright side to the court's decision saying, "my hopes were never brighter than now". Which meant, for Douglass, the decision would bring slavery to the attention of the nation and it was a step towards the destruction of it.
1858
Lincoln - Douglas Debates
Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln were both in the running for the 1860 Presidency, Douglas being a Democrat, Lincoln being a Republican. Many thought the fight was unfair, for Douglas was a well-known two-term senator and Lincoln was a self-educated man elected to one term in Congress twelve years earlier. To counteract his running mate, Lincoln challenged Douglas to a series of debates, Douglas accepted the challenge and it was one of the most celebrated debates in U.S. history. While neither of the men wanted slavery, they disagreed on how to keep it out of the States. Douglas believed and wanted Popular Sovereignty, Lincoln on the other hand believed that slavery was immoral and did not expect people to give it up unless Congress abolished slavery with an amendment. Lincoln and Douglas faced each other in hard debates, but finally Lincoln's "vast moral evil" of slavery drew national attention and some Republicans began to think of him as an excellent Presidential Candidate for the 1860 election.
Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln were both in the running for the 1860 Presidency, Douglas being a Democrat, Lincoln being a Republican. Many thought the fight was unfair, for Douglas was a well-known two-term senator and Lincoln was a self-educated man elected to one term in Congress twelve years earlier. To counteract his running mate, Lincoln challenged Douglas to a series of debates, Douglas accepted the challenge and it was one of the most celebrated debates in U.S. history. While neither of the men wanted slavery, they disagreed on how to keep it out of the States. Douglas believed and wanted Popular Sovereignty, Lincoln on the other hand believed that slavery was immoral and did not expect people to give it up unless Congress abolished slavery with an amendment. Lincoln and Douglas faced each other in hard debates, but finally Lincoln's "vast moral evil" of slavery drew national attention and some Republicans began to think of him as an excellent Presidential Candidate for the 1860 election.
1859 - October 16
Harper's Ferry
Harper's Ferry was an attempted General Slave uprising led by John Brown in 1859. John Brown was studying slave uprisings that happened in ancient Rome and on the French Island of Hati, he believed the time was right to start similar uprisings in the United States. Secrectly, Brown obtained financial backing from several Northern abolitionists and on the night of October 16, 1859 he led a group of 21 men, black and white, into Harpers Ferry, Virgina. Brown's goal was to seize the Federal Arsenal there and start a general slave uprising, but the uprising never happened-troops took down the rebellion and Brown was tried. Brown was sentenced to death by hanging, both the North and South reacted. In the North, bells tolled, guns were fired as salutes, and large crowds gathered to hear speakers denounce the South. While in the South, mobs assaulted whites who were suspected of holding anti-slavery views.
Harper's Ferry was an attempted General Slave uprising led by John Brown in 1859. John Brown was studying slave uprisings that happened in ancient Rome and on the French Island of Hati, he believed the time was right to start similar uprisings in the United States. Secrectly, Brown obtained financial backing from several Northern abolitionists and on the night of October 16, 1859 he led a group of 21 men, black and white, into Harpers Ferry, Virgina. Brown's goal was to seize the Federal Arsenal there and start a general slave uprising, but the uprising never happened-troops took down the rebellion and Brown was tried. Brown was sentenced to death by hanging, both the North and South reacted. In the North, bells tolled, guns were fired as salutes, and large crowds gathered to hear speakers denounce the South. While in the South, mobs assaulted whites who were suspected of holding anti-slavery views.
1860
Lincoln's Election
In 1860, as the Presidential Election grew closer and closer, the Republicans nominated Abraham Lincoln. Although Lincoln pledged to stop the further spread of slavery and tried to reassure the South that a Republican administration would not "interfere with their slaves or with them about their slaves" many still opposed him. Besides Lincoln, there were three major canidates in for the running of Presidency, the Northern Democrats rallied behind Douglas, the Southern Democrats who supported the Dred Scott case supported Vice-President John C. Breckenridge, and former Know-Nothings and Whigs from the South nominated John Bell. Lincoln came out on top, and won the Presidency with less than half the popular vote and no electoral votes, he didn't even show up on the ballots in most of the slave-states because of the Sourthern hostillity towards Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln served his Presidency until he was assassinated on April 14, 1865 by John Wilkes Booth.
In 1860, as the Presidential Election grew closer and closer, the Republicans nominated Abraham Lincoln. Although Lincoln pledged to stop the further spread of slavery and tried to reassure the South that a Republican administration would not "interfere with their slaves or with them about their slaves" many still opposed him. Besides Lincoln, there were three major canidates in for the running of Presidency, the Northern Democrats rallied behind Douglas, the Southern Democrats who supported the Dred Scott case supported Vice-President John C. Breckenridge, and former Know-Nothings and Whigs from the South nominated John Bell. Lincoln came out on top, and won the Presidency with less than half the popular vote and no electoral votes, he didn't even show up on the ballots in most of the slave-states because of the Sourthern hostillity towards Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln served his Presidency until he was assassinated on April 14, 1865 by John Wilkes Booth.
1861 - April 12-14
Fort Sumter
The surrender and battle at Fort Sumter was the battle that started The American Civil War. Fort Sumter was a base located near Charleston, South Carolina and the resupply of the fort was the first crisis that President Lincoln had to solve during his Presidency. Lincoln notified the Governor of South Carolina that he was sending supply ships, which meant an ultimatum to evacuate Fort Sumter immediately. Major Robert Anderson refused to surrender and therefore on April 12 at 4:30 a.m. the Confederates bombarded the fort. Even though the Union returned fire, they were hopelessly outgunned, and surrendered after 34 hours of battle. There was no loss in life on either side of the battle, but a gun explosion resulted in two deaths on the Union side. After Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to suppress the rebellion, four additional states declared their secession and joined the Confederacy, thus starting the Civil War.
The surrender and battle at Fort Sumter was the battle that started The American Civil War. Fort Sumter was a base located near Charleston, South Carolina and the resupply of the fort was the first crisis that President Lincoln had to solve during his Presidency. Lincoln notified the Governor of South Carolina that he was sending supply ships, which meant an ultimatum to evacuate Fort Sumter immediately. Major Robert Anderson refused to surrender and therefore on April 12 at 4:30 a.m. the Confederates bombarded the fort. Even though the Union returned fire, they were hopelessly outgunned, and surrendered after 34 hours of battle. There was no loss in life on either side of the battle, but a gun explosion resulted in two deaths on the Union side. After Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to suppress the rebellion, four additional states declared their secession and joined the Confederacy, thus starting the Civil War.
1861 - July 21
Bull Run
Only a few months after the fall of Fort Sumter, the first major land battle of the Civil War was fought near the small creek of Bull Run. In the beginning of the battle, the Union army had the upper hand, but the Confederates stood tall, inspired by General Thomas J. Jackson, also known as Stonewall Jackson. In the afternoon the Confederates regained composure with their reinforcements, and the South had their first victory. The Confederates were too tired to follow up their victory at Bull Run with an attack on Washington, but still the Confederate Morale soared. Believing the Civil War was over, many Confederate soldiers left the army and went home.
Only a few months after the fall of Fort Sumter, the first major land battle of the Civil War was fought near the small creek of Bull Run. In the beginning of the battle, the Union army had the upper hand, but the Confederates stood tall, inspired by General Thomas J. Jackson, also known as Stonewall Jackson. In the afternoon the Confederates regained composure with their reinforcements, and the South had their first victory. The Confederates were too tired to follow up their victory at Bull Run with an attack on Washington, but still the Confederate Morale soared. Believing the Civil War was over, many Confederate soldiers left the army and went home.
1862 - September 17
Antietam
The Battle of Antietam was the first major battle that was fought on Union soil, and was the bloodiest single-day in American History with around 26,000 casulties on both sides. It was after General George McClellan had found a copy of Robert E. Lee's orders wrapped around some old cigars that he knew Lee's army was separated and he then proceeded to go after Lee and his army. Because McClellan did not follow the battered Confederate Army into Virgina, and possibly end The American Civil War, President Lincoln removed him from command.
The Battle of Antietam was the first major battle that was fought on Union soil, and was the bloodiest single-day in American History with around 26,000 casulties on both sides. It was after General George McClellan had found a copy of Robert E. Lee's orders wrapped around some old cigars that he knew Lee's army was separated and he then proceeded to go after Lee and his army. Because McClellan did not follow the battered Confederate Army into Virgina, and possibly end The American Civil War, President Lincoln removed him from command.
1863 - January 1
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation, which was issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, stated for the freedom of 3.1 million slaves in ten states that were still in rebellion. Although it proclaimed the freedom of the slaves, it did not free any of the slaves right away because it only applied to the areas behind the Confederate line, which was outside of the Union's control. The Emancipation didn't just become a moral, it became a weapon of war. For many the Emancipation Proclamation gave the war a moral purpose which turned the struggle into a fight to free the many slaves of the South. The Proclamation also ensured that a compromise was no longer possible between the North and the South.
The Emancipation Proclamation, which was issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, stated for the freedom of 3.1 million slaves in ten states that were still in rebellion. Although it proclaimed the freedom of the slaves, it did not free any of the slaves right away because it only applied to the areas behind the Confederate line, which was outside of the Union's control. The Emancipation didn't just become a moral, it became a weapon of war. For many the Emancipation Proclamation gave the war a moral purpose which turned the struggle into a fight to free the many slaves of the South. The Proclamation also ensured that a compromise was no longer possible between the North and the South.
1863 - July 1-3
The Battle of Gettysburg
In July of 1863 near the sleepy town of Gettysburg the Civil War's most decisive battle was fought. The battle started on July 1 when Confederate soldiers, who were led by A. P. Hill, encountered several bridges of the Union's cavalry under the command of John Buford. Buford ordered his men to take up defensive positions on the hills and ridges surrounding the town of Gettysburg, when Hill's troops came, Buford's men were there waiting. By the end of the first day 90,000 the Union troops had taken the field against 75,000 Confederates. During the second day of the battle, the Confederates drove the Union troops from Gettysburg and took control over the town. By the third day of the battle, the North regained control and and defeated the South. Total casualties were more than 30 percent on both sides- 23,000 Union troops, and 28,000 Confederates were killed or wounded.
In July of 1863 near the sleepy town of Gettysburg the Civil War's most decisive battle was fought. The battle started on July 1 when Confederate soldiers, who were led by A. P. Hill, encountered several bridges of the Union's cavalry under the command of John Buford. Buford ordered his men to take up defensive positions on the hills and ridges surrounding the town of Gettysburg, when Hill's troops came, Buford's men were there waiting. By the end of the first day 90,000 the Union troops had taken the field against 75,000 Confederates. During the second day of the battle, the Confederates drove the Union troops from Gettysburg and took control over the town. By the third day of the battle, the North regained control and and defeated the South. Total casualties were more than 30 percent on both sides- 23,000 Union troops, and 28,000 Confederates were killed or wounded.
1863 - November 19
Gettysburg Address
In the month of November 1860, a ceremony was held to dedicate a cemetary in Gettysburg, Pennsylvaina in honor of the battle that took place four and a half months before. At that ceremony President Lincoln made a speech that lasted just over two minutes, which is now considered one of the most well known speeches in American History. In little over 300 hundered words, Lincoln managed to reiterate the principles of human equality which was stated in the Declaration of Independence, and proclaimed that the Civil War was a struggle for the preservation of the Union that was affected by the secession crisis. With "a new birth of freedom" of the Union, it would bring true equality to all of its citizens, ensure that democracy would remain a viable form of government, and to create a unfied nation where states' rights were no longer dominant. After Lincoln's speech many realized that the country was not a collection of individual states, but one unified nation.
In the month of November 1860, a ceremony was held to dedicate a cemetary in Gettysburg, Pennsylvaina in honor of the battle that took place four and a half months before. At that ceremony President Lincoln made a speech that lasted just over two minutes, which is now considered one of the most well known speeches in American History. In little over 300 hundered words, Lincoln managed to reiterate the principles of human equality which was stated in the Declaration of Independence, and proclaimed that the Civil War was a struggle for the preservation of the Union that was affected by the secession crisis. With "a new birth of freedom" of the Union, it would bring true equality to all of its citizens, ensure that democracy would remain a viable form of government, and to create a unfied nation where states' rights were no longer dominant. After Lincoln's speech many realized that the country was not a collection of individual states, but one unified nation.
1864 - February
Andersonville Prison
The Andersonville Prison was a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp during the Civil War. The prison origianlly covered about 16.5 acres of land which all was enclosed by a 15 foot tall stockade, in June of 1864 the Prison was enlarged to 26.5 acres. Out of the 45,000 prisoners, approximately 12,913 of the Union prisoners during the war died due to starvation, malnutrition, diarrhea, diesease, abuse, and/or blunt weapon executions from the Confederate gaurds. At this point in the war, the Andersonville Prison was frequently low on food, which affected both the prisoners and the Confederate personnel within the prison. In 1864 Union prisoners suffered from starvation and disease, within seven months about a third of the men died from Dysentery and Scurvy, they were buired in mass graves outside the prison stockade. Finally in May of 1865, the Andersonville Prison was shut down.
The Andersonville Prison was a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp during the Civil War. The prison origianlly covered about 16.5 acres of land which all was enclosed by a 15 foot tall stockade, in June of 1864 the Prison was enlarged to 26.5 acres. Out of the 45,000 prisoners, approximately 12,913 of the Union prisoners during the war died due to starvation, malnutrition, diarrhea, diesease, abuse, and/or blunt weapon executions from the Confederate gaurds. At this point in the war, the Andersonville Prison was frequently low on food, which affected both the prisoners and the Confederate personnel within the prison. In 1864 Union prisoners suffered from starvation and disease, within seven months about a third of the men died from Dysentery and Scurvy, they were buired in mass graves outside the prison stockade. Finally in May of 1865, the Andersonville Prison was shut down.
1865 - April 9
Surrender at Appomattox Court House
After four long years of fighting between the North and the South, The American Civil War was soon to be over. In a Virgina town called Appomattox Court House, Lee and Grant met at a private home to arrange the Confederate surrender which, at Lincoln's request, were generous. Grant paroled all of Lee's soldiers and sent them home with their possessions and three days worth of rations, officers were permitted to keep their side arms. Within a month of the surrender, all remaining Confederate resisitance collapsed, finally ending The American Civil War after four years.
After four long years of fighting between the North and the South, The American Civil War was soon to be over. In a Virgina town called Appomattox Court House, Lee and Grant met at a private home to arrange the Confederate surrender which, at Lincoln's request, were generous. Grant paroled all of Lee's soldiers and sent them home with their possessions and three days worth of rations, officers were permitted to keep their side arms. Within a month of the surrender, all remaining Confederate resisitance collapsed, finally ending The American Civil War after four years.
1865 - April 14
Assassination of President Abraham Lincoln
Five days after the surrender of General Lee to Grant, President Abraham Lincoln and his wife went to Ford's Theatre in Washington to see a British comedy, Our American Cousin. During the third act, a man snuck up behind Lincoln and shot the President of the United States in the back of the head. Lincoln never regained consciousness and died on April 15. The President was shot by John Wilkes Booth, a 26 year old actor and Southern sympathizer, who escaped that night, but later was trapped and shot dead in a Virgina tobacco shed. The funeral train that carried Lincoln's body from Washington to his hometown of Springfield, Illinois took 14 days and approximately seven million Americans (almost one-third of the entire U.S. population) gathered to mourn their martyred leader.
Five days after the surrender of General Lee to Grant, President Abraham Lincoln and his wife went to Ford's Theatre in Washington to see a British comedy, Our American Cousin. During the third act, a man snuck up behind Lincoln and shot the President of the United States in the back of the head. Lincoln never regained consciousness and died on April 15. The President was shot by John Wilkes Booth, a 26 year old actor and Southern sympathizer, who escaped that night, but later was trapped and shot dead in a Virgina tobacco shed. The funeral train that carried Lincoln's body from Washington to his hometown of Springfield, Illinois took 14 days and approximately seven million Americans (almost one-third of the entire U.S. population) gathered to mourn their martyred leader.