Timeline of Major Events in The Civil War
The Compromise of 1850
As California petition to join the Union, discord arose surrounding the possible upset of the balance between Northern anti-slavery states and Southern pro-slavery states. In an attempt to mediate this, Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky came up with a series of compromises, each giving some to the North and some to the South. His proposal settled the dispute of the land gained in the Mexican-American War, creating New Mexico and Utah where the issue of slavery would be resolved by popular sovereignty, ended slave trade in Washington D.C. and amended the Fugitive Slave Act to make it easier for the South to obtain their slaves. While each side won some and lost some in the compromise, it was the North who appeared to gain the most. Senator John Calhoun of South Carolina fought the compromise for this very reason. However, in the end it was passed by the senate in 1850.
The signing of this bill illustrated the beginning of the North and South's vey for power in the senate, neither side willing to let the other gain even the slightest advantage.
As California petition to join the Union, discord arose surrounding the possible upset of the balance between Northern anti-slavery states and Southern pro-slavery states. In an attempt to mediate this, Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky came up with a series of compromises, each giving some to the North and some to the South. His proposal settled the dispute of the land gained in the Mexican-American War, creating New Mexico and Utah where the issue of slavery would be resolved by popular sovereignty, ended slave trade in Washington D.C. and amended the Fugitive Slave Act to make it easier for the South to obtain their slaves. While each side won some and lost some in the compromise, it was the North who appeared to gain the most. Senator John Calhoun of South Carolina fought the compromise for this very reason. However, in the end it was passed by the senate in 1850.
The signing of this bill illustrated the beginning of the North and South's vey for power in the senate, neither side willing to let the other gain even the slightest advantage.
The Kansas Nebraska Act- 1854
Passed on May 30, 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Act enabled the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide on their own whether or not they would allow slavery. The act also served to repeal the Missouri compromise which prohibited slavery north of latitude 36°30´.
This angered Northerners who were strongly in favor of the Missouri compromise and its part in limiting the spread of slavery. They believed it should have been a long standing agreement. The South however were greatly in favor of this act as it enabled the possibility of the spread of slavery into the new and undecided territories.
Bleeding Kansas- 1855 – 1861
After the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed, a vote was required to determine the nature of slavery in the territories. Both the North and South sent floods of citizens into the territories, attempting to influence the outcome of the vote. In the end, pro-slavery settlers won the election but anti-slavery settlers charged them with fraud, demanding a new election. However, the pro-slavery settlers refused to vote again, resulting in the creation of two perpendicular legislatures. Violence broke out soon after, with anti-slavery forces being lead by John Brown. President Pierce sent federal troops to Kansas on the side of the pro-slavery forces. The anti-slavery legislature was dismissed and a new vote held, once again favoring the pro-slavery voters and once again the anti-slavery voters accused them of fraud. As a result, Kansas did not become a state until years later when the anti-slavery voters became a majority and it was admitted into the Union as a free state in 1861, just before the start of the Civil War.
What happened in Kansas illustrated the deep hatred the South and North had towards one another and the great degrees to which they would go in order to assert their point and prevent the other side from winning.
The Dred Scott Decision- 1857
The Dred Scott decision is, perhaps, one of the most infamous cases to ever cross the Federal Court. For a large portion of Dred Scott's life, he lived as a slave in the South. However, after his former master died, he was sold to an army surgeon by the name of Dr. John Emerson who brought him to the free state of Illinois. After having lived there for two and a half years, Scott sued for his freedom. The case took years to resolve and eventually sided against Scott on a technicality. It stated that simply because he was was black in color, he had no right to sue.
This decision was well received by the South as to them it signified the possibility of slavery regardless if states were declared free. However, this enraged Northerners, who believe this to be an encroachment upon their rights and beliefs.
The Dred Scott decision is, perhaps, one of the most infamous cases to ever cross the Federal Court. For a large portion of Dred Scott's life, he lived as a slave in the South. However, after his former master died, he was sold to an army surgeon by the name of Dr. John Emerson who brought him to the free state of Illinois. After having lived there for two and a half years, Scott sued for his freedom. The case took years to resolve and eventually sided against Scott on a technicality. It stated that simply because he was was black in color, he had no right to sue.
This decision was well received by the South as to them it signified the possibility of slavery regardless if states were declared free. However, this enraged Northerners, who believe this to be an encroachment upon their rights and beliefs.
Lincoln–Douglas Debates: 1858
The Lincoln-Douglas debates were a series of seven debates that took places as Lincoln and Douglas campaigned for one of Illinois’s senate seats. The debate many issues that were critical to the day such as the impact of sectionalism on the nation and the effect of slavery as well as many other topics that would influence the political discourse. In the end, Douglas won but for Lincoln they were only a starting block. The debates put his name out there in the North as some state began to invite him to campaign there for their Republican seat, and even for presidency.
While the debates themselves were a minor occurrence on the effect of the civil war, their implication was huge. They debated the major issue that the nation faced at the time as well as put Lincoln’s name out into the political circle, eventually leading to him to become the nation’s president during the start of the war.
The Lincoln-Douglas debates were a series of seven debates that took places as Lincoln and Douglas campaigned for one of Illinois’s senate seats. The debate many issues that were critical to the day such as the impact of sectionalism on the nation and the effect of slavery as well as many other topics that would influence the political discourse. In the end, Douglas won but for Lincoln they were only a starting block. The debates put his name out there in the North as some state began to invite him to campaign there for their Republican seat, and even for presidency.
While the debates themselves were a minor occurrence on the effect of the civil war, their implication was huge. They debated the major issue that the nation faced at the time as well as put Lincoln’s name out into the political circle, eventually leading to him to become the nation’s president during the start of the war.
Lincoln’s Election- 1860
When Lincoln came to power as the 16th president of the United States, and its first Republican one, he was determined to keep the nation unified. He never took a stark stance against slavery, knowing that it was critical to the South’s economy. However, his opposed the expansion of slavery into the western “free lands.” For this reason, the South was against his presidency for the knew the lack of the spread of slavery would hurt their economy. Despite his best efforts, after only the first few months of his presidency, the United States was at war with itself in a full blown Civil War.
Lincoln’s election, while not intentional, was a major catalyst in the start of the civil war. His resistance to the spread of slavery caused the South to resist his leadership while the North advocated strongly for it. This essentially exacerbated the already present political tensions.
When Lincoln came to power as the 16th president of the United States, and its first Republican one, he was determined to keep the nation unified. He never took a stark stance against slavery, knowing that it was critical to the South’s economy. However, his opposed the expansion of slavery into the western “free lands.” For this reason, the South was against his presidency for the knew the lack of the spread of slavery would hurt their economy. Despite his best efforts, after only the first few months of his presidency, the United States was at war with itself in a full blown Civil War.
Lincoln’s election, while not intentional, was a major catalyst in the start of the civil war. His resistance to the spread of slavery caused the South to resist his leadership while the North advocated strongly for it. This essentially exacerbated the already present political tensions.
Fort Sumter- 1861
The battle at Fort Sumpter marked the beginning of the Civil War. After South Carolina succeeded from the Union, the Union fort was trapped in enemy territory. When Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard demanded that Union Major Anderson surrendered the fort, he refused. The next morning, the Confederate forces opened fire. As the Union troops were low on supplies, they waited two hours to retaliate, and even then doing so sparsely as the conserve what ammunition they had. For 34 hours, the firing continued. On April 13th, Anderson surrendered the fort. Miraculously, no one was killed during the battle and the generous terms of the surrender allowed Anderson to take his troops north where they were welcomed as heroes.
The battle at Fort Sumter was the beginning of the war. It was the first shots fired from the Confederacy and the Union. It symbolized the beginning of the violent revolt of the South and a merciless relation of the North.
The battle at Fort Sumpter marked the beginning of the Civil War. After South Carolina succeeded from the Union, the Union fort was trapped in enemy territory. When Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard demanded that Union Major Anderson surrendered the fort, he refused. The next morning, the Confederate forces opened fire. As the Union troops were low on supplies, they waited two hours to retaliate, and even then doing so sparsely as the conserve what ammunition they had. For 34 hours, the firing continued. On April 13th, Anderson surrendered the fort. Miraculously, no one was killed during the battle and the generous terms of the surrender allowed Anderson to take his troops north where they were welcomed as heroes.
The battle at Fort Sumter was the beginning of the war. It was the first shots fired from the Confederacy and the Union. It symbolized the beginning of the violent revolt of the South and a merciless relation of the North.
Bull Run- 1861
The battle of Bull Run was the first major battle of the Civil War, President Lincoln pressed his general to hold nothing back in an attempt to win the war quickly. The Union army made a hard push of the Confederate left flank while the Confederate attacked the Union left flank, because of the over-complicated nature of the Union army’s plan, the fighting carried on through the day until Confederate reinforcements forced the Union army to route.
The severity of this defeat forced President Lincoln to recognize that the Civil War would not be won in a single battle.
The battle of Bull Run was the first major battle of the Civil War, President Lincoln pressed his general to hold nothing back in an attempt to win the war quickly. The Union army made a hard push of the Confederate left flank while the Confederate attacked the Union left flank, because of the over-complicated nature of the Union army’s plan, the fighting carried on through the day until Confederate reinforcements forced the Union army to route.
The severity of this defeat forced President Lincoln to recognize that the Civil War would not be won in a single battle.
Harper’s Ferry- 1862
The battle of Harpers Ferry is remembered as a major victory for the Confederate army. Gen. Robert E. Lee divided his army and sent three columns to go and capture the 14,000 soldier garrison in the small town. Gen. Thomas Jackson took command of the three columns and surrounded the area, on September 15th he ordered an artillery barrage of the town. Almost immediately Union commander Dixon Miles was fatally wounded and the garrison was surrendered, this was the largest amount of captured soldiers in a single battle of the entire war, giving the Confederate army a strong advantage.
The battle of Harpers Ferry is remembered as a major victory for the Confederate army. Gen. Robert E. Lee divided his army and sent three columns to go and capture the 14,000 soldier garrison in the small town. Gen. Thomas Jackson took command of the three columns and surrounded the area, on September 15th he ordered an artillery barrage of the town. Almost immediately Union commander Dixon Miles was fatally wounded and the garrison was surrendered, this was the largest amount of captured soldiers in a single battle of the entire war, giving the Confederate army a strong advantage.
Antietam- 1862
Named for the creek where the Union army’s final push broke the Confederate line, the battle of Antietam is remembered as the bloodiest day in all of American military history. Even though the Union army outnumbered the Confederates 2:1 Gen. McClellen failed to capitalize on this, allowing the Confederate army to deal with his forces one group at a time, eventually the Union army forced the Confederate army to retreat, ending the bloodiest battle of the war in a draw. Even so, President Lincoln saw it as the victory as he wanted to boost morale before delivering the Emancipation Proclamation.
Named for the creek where the Union army’s final push broke the Confederate line, the battle of Antietam is remembered as the bloodiest day in all of American military history. Even though the Union army outnumbered the Confederates 2:1 Gen. McClellen failed to capitalize on this, allowing the Confederate army to deal with his forces one group at a time, eventually the Union army forced the Confederate army to retreat, ending the bloodiest battle of the war in a draw. Even so, President Lincoln saw it as the victory as he wanted to boost morale before delivering the Emancipation Proclamation.
Emancipation Proclamation- 1863
With a series of Confederate victories, the Unions moral was low. They were fighting a losing war. President Lincoln recognized this but was reluctant to alienate half of the nation. However, as the Union continued to struggle, the freeing of slaves was looking more and more like a strategic military move. On January 1, 1863, Lincoln issued his emancipation proclamation which freed all slaves in rebellious states. However, it did not free the slaves in the border states who were still loyal to the Union. This greatly hurt the South as they lost a large portion of their labor and army to the North, where slaves joined in the fight for their freedom.
The emancipation proclamation angered the South while exciting the North. It proved to be one of the critical turning points of the war, giving the North a great advantage over the South.
With a series of Confederate victories, the Unions moral was low. They were fighting a losing war. President Lincoln recognized this but was reluctant to alienate half of the nation. However, as the Union continued to struggle, the freeing of slaves was looking more and more like a strategic military move. On January 1, 1863, Lincoln issued his emancipation proclamation which freed all slaves in rebellious states. However, it did not free the slaves in the border states who were still loyal to the Union. This greatly hurt the South as they lost a large portion of their labor and army to the North, where slaves joined in the fight for their freedom.
The emancipation proclamation angered the South while exciting the North. It proved to be one of the critical turning points of the war, giving the North a great advantage over the South.
Gettysburg and Gettysburg Address-1863
The battle of Gettysburg was the largest battle of the Civil War, and still is the largest battle ever to be fought in North America. More than 160,000 soldiers fought in the battle for three days, ensuing 51,000 casualties. The Union’s victory here marked a turning point in the war, the largest army of the south had lost ⅓ of its soldiers.
On the 19th of November 1863, President Lincoln was invited as a guest to the dedication of the cemetery honoring the fallen Union soldiers, there he gave what is regarded as one of the greatest speeches in U.S. history. 260 words honoring the fallen, and reminding the people of what they really died for
The battle of Gettysburg was the largest battle of the Civil War, and still is the largest battle ever to be fought in North America. More than 160,000 soldiers fought in the battle for three days, ensuing 51,000 casualties. The Union’s victory here marked a turning point in the war, the largest army of the south had lost ⅓ of its soldiers.
On the 19th of November 1863, President Lincoln was invited as a guest to the dedication of the cemetery honoring the fallen Union soldiers, there he gave what is regarded as one of the greatest speeches in U.S. history. 260 words honoring the fallen, and reminding the people of what they really died for
Andersonville Prison
Andersonville was the largest Confederate prison during the war. At it’s peak, it held 33,000 prisoners in a space intended to hold only 10,000. Condition in the prison were terrible, 13,000 prisoners dying of disease, poor sanitation, malnutrition, overcrowding, or exposure to the elements. This was greatly due to the deteriorating economy of the South and their inability to supply for their prisoners. On top of that, there was a simple wooden railing about 19 feet from the edge called the “deadline.” Along the wall at 90 foot intervals, sentries were posted and instructed to kill anyone who so much as reached over the deadline. When the war ended, the prison ceased to exists and its officials arrested.
Andersonville was the largest Confederate prison during the war. At it’s peak, it held 33,000 prisoners in a space intended to hold only 10,000. Condition in the prison were terrible, 13,000 prisoners dying of disease, poor sanitation, malnutrition, overcrowding, or exposure to the elements. This was greatly due to the deteriorating economy of the South and their inability to supply for their prisoners. On top of that, there was a simple wooden railing about 19 feet from the edge called the “deadline.” Along the wall at 90 foot intervals, sentries were posted and instructed to kill anyone who so much as reached over the deadline. When the war ended, the prison ceased to exists and its officials arrested.
Surrender at Appomattox Court House- 1865
After four years of fighting, the bloody civil war was about to come to an end. Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1864. The terms of the surrender included that the Southern men would get to return home to their property, keep their horses, keep their sidearms, and the starving Confederate men would be given Union rations. After the surrender was signed, Grant said “The war is over. The Rebels are our countrymen again.” While sparse rebellion continued for a few weeks, the civil war was effectively over.
After four years of fighting, the bloody civil war was about to come to an end. Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1864. The terms of the surrender included that the Southern men would get to return home to their property, keep their horses, keep their sidearms, and the starving Confederate men would be given Union rations. After the surrender was signed, Grant said “The war is over. The Rebels are our countrymen again.” While sparse rebellion continued for a few weeks, the civil war was effectively over.
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln- 1865
During his presidency, Lincoln was not highly liked by the South. This tension was exacerbated by the surrender of General Robert E. Lee to General Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Court House. However, even before the surrender, there was already a plot afoot for the kidnapping of President Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth. He was a Confederate sympathizer, despite the fact that he lived in the north. However, when Lincoln failed to show at the designated location for the kidnapping, plans changed. Just five days after Lee surrendered, Booth assassinated Lincoln while he was at the Ford’s Theater with his wife. At the same time, Booth’s accomplices attempted to kill Vice President Andrew Jackson and Secretary of State William H. Seward, two of Lincoln’s possible successors, which would result in throwing the Union government into disarray. Booth was eventually captured, as he attempted to flee south, in a Virginia farm house. One of the federal soldiers shot him in the neck. Booth died three hours later, muttering his dying words of “useless, useless.”
Word of assassination of President Lincoln spread quickly, by the next day flags across the nation were flown at half masked. Mourners lined the railroad upon which the President's body was transferred. On top of this, Lincoln’s death greatly affected post war policies. While he had been alive, he had been able to control the “Radical Republicans” in the congress. However, President Andrew Jackson was ill equipped to handle them. Thus Lincoln's view for welcoming the South back as lost brothers was overstepped by the Republicans desire to punish the South.
During his presidency, Lincoln was not highly liked by the South. This tension was exacerbated by the surrender of General Robert E. Lee to General Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Court House. However, even before the surrender, there was already a plot afoot for the kidnapping of President Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth. He was a Confederate sympathizer, despite the fact that he lived in the north. However, when Lincoln failed to show at the designated location for the kidnapping, plans changed. Just five days after Lee surrendered, Booth assassinated Lincoln while he was at the Ford’s Theater with his wife. At the same time, Booth’s accomplices attempted to kill Vice President Andrew Jackson and Secretary of State William H. Seward, two of Lincoln’s possible successors, which would result in throwing the Union government into disarray. Booth was eventually captured, as he attempted to flee south, in a Virginia farm house. One of the federal soldiers shot him in the neck. Booth died three hours later, muttering his dying words of “useless, useless.”
Word of assassination of President Lincoln spread quickly, by the next day flags across the nation were flown at half masked. Mourners lined the railroad upon which the President's body was transferred. On top of this, Lincoln’s death greatly affected post war policies. While he had been alive, he had been able to control the “Radical Republicans” in the congress. However, President Andrew Jackson was ill equipped to handle them. Thus Lincoln's view for welcoming the South back as lost brothers was overstepped by the Republicans desire to punish the South.
Reconstruction-1865
Reconstruction was the period after the war in which the United States tried to reassemble itself and solve many highly controversial issues. They had to decide at what degree should the South be brought into union? Should there be any punishment? How would the South sustain its economy? After the abolition of slavery, what rights did blacks have? In a way, the period of reconstitution was a war in it of itself. President Jackson passed a fairly lenient policy towards the South. However local “black codes” highly restricted the ability of the blacks towards employment and other ventures, despite the fact that they now had the right to vote. On top of this, groups such as the radical Ku Klux Klan reversed many of the changes that were attempted to be brought about by the reconstruction. This angered the North and so the conflict continued. While the era of reconstruction technically end with the Compromise of 1876, in which Rutherford B. Hayes promises the South to the Democrats in exchange for election, it was brought back again during the civil rights movement of the 1960s as African Americans fought for the equality on all fronts that had long been denied to them.
The period of reconstruction served to attempt to reunite the nation and, while it did contain some turmoil, it was necessary for us to move forward as a country
Reconstruction was the period after the war in which the United States tried to reassemble itself and solve many highly controversial issues. They had to decide at what degree should the South be brought into union? Should there be any punishment? How would the South sustain its economy? After the abolition of slavery, what rights did blacks have? In a way, the period of reconstitution was a war in it of itself. President Jackson passed a fairly lenient policy towards the South. However local “black codes” highly restricted the ability of the blacks towards employment and other ventures, despite the fact that they now had the right to vote. On top of this, groups such as the radical Ku Klux Klan reversed many of the changes that were attempted to be brought about by the reconstruction. This angered the North and so the conflict continued. While the era of reconstruction technically end with the Compromise of 1876, in which Rutherford B. Hayes promises the South to the Democrats in exchange for election, it was brought back again during the civil rights movement of the 1960s as African Americans fought for the equality on all fronts that had long been denied to them.
The period of reconstruction served to attempt to reunite the nation and, while it did contain some turmoil, it was necessary for us to move forward as a country