Civil war timeline
Compromise of 1850
In 1850 Henry Clay presented ways that would address the expanding state of California, and hopefully please both sides. Clay's idea to please the North would be that California becomes part of the Union as a free state. To please the south Clay proposed a new slave law. This law became know as the Fugitive Slave Act and it stated that if a runaway slave was caught withing the United States they were to be returned to their rightful owner and punish anyone who helped them escape.
In 1850 Henry Clay presented ways that would address the expanding state of California, and hopefully please both sides. Clay's idea to please the North would be that California becomes part of the Union as a free state. To please the south Clay proposed a new slave law. This law became know as the Fugitive Slave Act and it stated that if a runaway slave was caught withing the United States they were to be returned to their rightful owner and punish anyone who helped them escape.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act-1854
Stephen Douglas proposed the Kansas-Nebraska act to Congress in 1854. Douglas's act proposed that Nebraska be divided in two different territories, Nebraska to please the north and Kansas to please the south. Not only would it just divide the territory in two, but it would allow the states to determine if they wanted to allow slavery or not. This became known a popular sovereignty.
Stephen Douglas proposed the Kansas-Nebraska act to Congress in 1854. Douglas's act proposed that Nebraska be divided in two different territories, Nebraska to please the north and Kansas to please the south. Not only would it just divide the territory in two, but it would allow the states to determine if they wanted to allow slavery or not. This became known a popular sovereignty.
Bleeding Kansas-1854
Following the Kansas-Nebraska act it became a race of who could settle in Kansas first and implement their way of thinking (no slavery or slavery) first. When Kansas began to become populated with many people from both sides fighting began to occur as each side tried to take control. Not only was the fighting on the land of Kansas, but also in the U.S. Senate when Preston Brooks beat Charles Sumner with a gold cane because of a speech he gave about the violence of Southerners. After much fighting Kansas became a free state in the Union.
Following the Kansas-Nebraska act it became a race of who could settle in Kansas first and implement their way of thinking (no slavery or slavery) first. When Kansas began to become populated with many people from both sides fighting began to occur as each side tried to take control. Not only was the fighting on the land of Kansas, but also in the U.S. Senate when Preston Brooks beat Charles Sumner with a gold cane because of a speech he gave about the violence of Southerners. After much fighting Kansas became a free state in the Union.
The Dred Scott Decision-1857
The Dred Scott decision was a Supreme Court case brought to the court by Dred Scott. Scott was a slave who was taken from a slave state to a free state with his owner and then back to the slave state of Missouri. Scott argued that he should be free because he lived in the free state and should be granted citizenship. Unfortunately for Scott he had an unkind lawyer who was in favor of slavery, and argued against instead of for him. The court turned down Dred Scott, which lead to even more tension between the North and South.
The Dred Scott decision was a Supreme Court case brought to the court by Dred Scott. Scott was a slave who was taken from a slave state to a free state with his owner and then back to the slave state of Missouri. Scott argued that he should be free because he lived in the free state and should be granted citizenship. Unfortunately for Scott he had an unkind lawyer who was in favor of slavery, and argued against instead of for him. The court turned down Dred Scott, which lead to even more tension between the North and South.
Lincoln-Douglas Debates-1858
In the 1858 congress elections Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas debated over several important topics. The topics included state's rights and slavery. In total there were seven debates, one in each Congressional District of Illinois. In these debates Douglas was more known than Lincoln, and in the end he won the senate seat.
In the 1858 congress elections Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas debated over several important topics. The topics included state's rights and slavery. In total there were seven debates, one in each Congressional District of Illinois. In these debates Douglas was more known than Lincoln, and in the end he won the senate seat.
Harper's Ferry-1859
In 1859 John Brown had a plan of capturing all of the federal arsenal, which was symbolic for attacking the government. Brown did not have a large army, he had less than thirty people. Brown did not believe in slavery and he hoped that slaves would fight along side of him. Having such a small army Brown was easily defeated and captured. Before Brown was executed he gave a very powerful speech that inspired many against slavery.
In 1859 John Brown had a plan of capturing all of the federal arsenal, which was symbolic for attacking the government. Brown did not have a large army, he had less than thirty people. Brown did not believe in slavery and he hoped that slaves would fight along side of him. Having such a small army Brown was easily defeated and captured. Before Brown was executed he gave a very powerful speech that inspired many against slavery.
Lincoln's Election-1860
In 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected sixteenth president of the United States. Lincoln's election was upsetting to many Southern states, he did not believe in slavery and was completely against it. Lincoln's election helped spark the Civil War.
In 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected sixteenth president of the United States. Lincoln's election was upsetting to many Southern states, he did not believe in slavery and was completely against it. Lincoln's election helped spark the Civil War.
Fort Sumter-1861
April 12, 1861 Confederate troops invaded the fort in effort to take it over. The shots fired at Fort Sumter are considered to be the first shots of the Civil War. The reason the Confederate troops invaded the fort was because president Abraham Lincoln said he had plans to resupply the fort. On April 13 nearly eighty soldiers gave in and surrendered, and the Confederate troops took over the fort until the Civil War was over.
April 12, 1861 Confederate troops invaded the fort in effort to take it over. The shots fired at Fort Sumter are considered to be the first shots of the Civil War. The reason the Confederate troops invaded the fort was because president Abraham Lincoln said he had plans to resupply the fort. On April 13 nearly eighty soldiers gave in and surrendered, and the Confederate troops took over the fort until the Civil War was over.
Bull Run-1861
The battle of Bull Run, also known as Manssas, is considered to be the first large major battle of the Civil War. This battle was fought between the Confederate and Union forces along the river Bull Run. Even though the Confederate army had less people, they still managed to break the Union forces and send the Union's army back to D.C. where they came from. This battle made people realize that this war was going to be tougher to win than originally anticipated.
The battle of Bull Run, also known as Manssas, is considered to be the first large major battle of the Civil War. This battle was fought between the Confederate and Union forces along the river Bull Run. Even though the Confederate army had less people, they still managed to break the Union forces and send the Union's army back to D.C. where they came from. This battle made people realize that this war was going to be tougher to win than originally anticipated.
Antietam-1862
Antietam refers to the creek where Robert E. Lee and George McClellan fought on the North's land for the first time during the Civil War. McClellan had more troops than Lee and was able to push into the North a little more, but didn't use his numbers to completely crush Lee. In the end the Union was able to win this battle giving Lincoln enough power to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. Antietam is still known as the "bloodiest single day in American history".
Antietam refers to the creek where Robert E. Lee and George McClellan fought on the North's land for the first time during the Civil War. McClellan had more troops than Lee and was able to push into the North a little more, but didn't use his numbers to completely crush Lee. In the end the Union was able to win this battle giving Lincoln enough power to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. Antietam is still known as the "bloodiest single day in American history".
Emancipation Proclamation-1863
Issued by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation was a new slavery law. This law stated that all slaves in rebellious states should be forever free. It did not free every slave, but it did free many, many of which came a fought along with the North. The Emancipation Proclamation was what turned the war from just trying to keep the union together to fighting to keep the Union together and for human freedom.
Issued by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation was a new slavery law. This law stated that all slaves in rebellious states should be forever free. It did not free every slave, but it did free many, many of which came a fought along with the North. The Emancipation Proclamation was what turned the war from just trying to keep the union together to fighting to keep the Union together and for human freedom.
Gettysburg and Gettysburg Address-1863
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is where a very bloody battle was fought between the Confederate army and the Union army. Once again the Confederate army failed and the Union was able to dominate. It is also where President Lincoln gave his famous speech known as the Gettysburg Address. In his speech Lincoln talked about human equality in the Declaration of Independence and the death of all those in the Civil War. He connected those deaths with the "desire for a new birth of freedom".
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is where a very bloody battle was fought between the Confederate army and the Union army. Once again the Confederate army failed and the Union was able to dominate. It is also where President Lincoln gave his famous speech known as the Gettysburg Address. In his speech Lincoln talked about human equality in the Declaration of Independence and the death of all those in the Civil War. He connected those deaths with the "desire for a new birth of freedom".
Andersonville Prison-1864
Andersonville Prison in Georgia became the new place for the Confederate military prison in 1864-1865 (end of the war). The prison eventually became called Camp Sumter, which was the largest prison for captured Union soldiers. The prison was very unsanitary and had an extremely high death rate.
Andersonville Prison in Georgia became the new place for the Confederate military prison in 1864-1865 (end of the war). The prison eventually became called Camp Sumter, which was the largest prison for captured Union soldiers. The prison was very unsanitary and had an extremely high death rate.
Surrender at Appomattox Court House-1865
The surrender at Appomattox court house in Virginia was where Robert E. Lee and his troops surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant, finally ending the Civil War. Prior to this Lee tried to run away and meet up with more forces, but was stopped. Once stopped Lee gave up and surrendered, ending the long war.
The surrender at Appomattox court house in Virginia was where Robert E. Lee and his troops surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant, finally ending the Civil War. Prior to this Lee tried to run away and meet up with more forces, but was stopped. Once stopped Lee gave up and surrendered, ending the long war.
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln-1865
On April 15, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was shot in the back of the head at Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C. Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, an actor and stong Confederate believer.
On April 15, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was shot in the back of the head at Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C. Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, an actor and stong Confederate believer.
Reconstruction-1865-1877
Reconstruction refers to the rebuilding of the South after the Civil War. After the Civil War was over, some four million slaves were freed, Southerners were not happy about this. After the reconstruction of the southern state legislature new laws and codes were enforced, which limited the labor and rights of people who were once slaves. People of the North were not happy about these new rules, so they took action and created the Radical Reconstruction, which eventually gave blacks a say in government.
Reconstruction refers to the rebuilding of the South after the Civil War. After the Civil War was over, some four million slaves were freed, Southerners were not happy about this. After the reconstruction of the southern state legislature new laws and codes were enforced, which limited the labor and rights of people who were once slaves. People of the North were not happy about these new rules, so they took action and created the Radical Reconstruction, which eventually gave blacks a say in government.