1850 - September
The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was designed to bring the North and South together. There were five components; to make California a free state, to let the people vote on the fate of slavery in the western territories, to allow Texas to lose their debt in exchange for land, to forbid slave trading in D.C and it stated tougher laws to prevent slaves from escaping North into Canada. This event was significant because the North didn't like it and they refused to follow these rules which created a bigger riff between the North and South.
The Compromise of 1850 was designed to bring the North and South together. There were five components; to make California a free state, to let the people vote on the fate of slavery in the western territories, to allow Texas to lose their debt in exchange for land, to forbid slave trading in D.C and it stated tougher laws to prevent slaves from escaping North into Canada. This event was significant because the North didn't like it and they refused to follow these rules which created a bigger riff between the North and South.
1854 - January 23
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
This act passed by Congress split the land into the Kansas and Nebraska territories. It also said that the majority vote would determine if there would be slavery or not. The significance is that it was a major cause of Bleeding Kansas.
This act passed by Congress split the land into the Kansas and Nebraska territories. It also said that the majority vote would determine if there would be slavery or not. The significance is that it was a major cause of Bleeding Kansas.
1854 - 1861
Bleeding Kansas
A group of anti-slavery men set up a government in Lawrence. KS to keep slaves free and then a bunch of proslavery men didn't agree and burned it down. In revenge, five of the pro-slavery fighters were killed. This conflict was called “Bleeding Kansas.” It was significant because it was the first major act of violence over slavery that sparked the Civil War.
A group of anti-slavery men set up a government in Lawrence. KS to keep slaves free and then a bunch of proslavery men didn't agree and burned it down. In revenge, five of the pro-slavery fighters were killed. This conflict was called “Bleeding Kansas.” It was significant because it was the first major act of violence over slavery that sparked the Civil War.
1857
The Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott was a slave that was brought into slave free states by his owner to be freed and then he sued the courts to win permanent freedom. The Supreme Court ruled against him saying that he was just property and had no rights. It was a really bad decision that caused a lot of tension from the North. Pro-slavery advocates wanted slavery expanded and this created much of the tension that fueled the flame of the Civil War.
Dred Scott was a slave that was brought into slave free states by his owner to be freed and then he sued the courts to win permanent freedom. The Supreme Court ruled against him saying that he was just property and had no rights. It was a really bad decision that caused a lot of tension from the North. Pro-slavery advocates wanted slavery expanded and this created much of the tension that fueled the flame of the Civil War.
1858
Lincoln - Douglas Debates
Both Douglas and Lincoln were seeking a senator seat and Lincoln asked Douglas to participate in a series of debates to challenge him. Neither of the men were pro-slavery, but they couldn't agree on how to stop it. Douglas wanted the people to decide and Lincoln thought there should be an amendment to end slavery put in the constitution. This is significant because Lincoln became famous during these debates which caused Republicans to ask him to be their next presidential candidate.
Both Douglas and Lincoln were seeking a senator seat and Lincoln asked Douglas to participate in a series of debates to challenge him. Neither of the men were pro-slavery, but they couldn't agree on how to stop it. Douglas wanted the people to decide and Lincoln thought there should be an amendment to end slavery put in the constitution. This is significant because Lincoln became famous during these debates which caused Republicans to ask him to be their next presidential candidate.
1859 - October 16
Harper's Ferry
Harper's Ferry was the site where John Brown was attacking the armory, but it didn't work. He was caught, put on trial and hanged for treason. This death caused a bigger divide between the North and South since the Northerners were very upset at his death and the Southerners thought he should be punished. This was another huge incident to fuel the start of the Civil War.
Harper's Ferry was the site where John Brown was attacking the armory, but it didn't work. He was caught, put on trial and hanged for treason. This death caused a bigger divide between the North and South since the Northerners were very upset at his death and the Southerners thought he should be punished. This was another huge incident to fuel the start of the Civil War.
1860
Lincoln's Election
Lincoln wanted to end slavery and he was obsessed with the idea. His opponents in the South didn't, because they depended on slaves for their economy. When Lincoln won, many states in the South left so they could keep their slaves. This started the Civil War. When the South started to win the war, Lincoln passed the Emancipation Proclamation. This is significant because it caused such a distraction in the South to fight this anti-slavery movement that the North gained ground and won the war ending slavery forever.
Lincoln wanted to end slavery and he was obsessed with the idea. His opponents in the South didn't, because they depended on slaves for their economy. When Lincoln won, many states in the South left so they could keep their slaves. This started the Civil War. When the South started to win the war, Lincoln passed the Emancipation Proclamation. This is significant because it caused such a distraction in the South to fight this anti-slavery movement that the North gained ground and won the war ending slavery forever.
1861 - April 12-14
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter was one of two federal ports in the South. The South wanted the Northern troops to leave, but when they refused, the Union Major was captured and he surrendered. In response, Lincoln called an end to it. This in turn caused more states to join the South. The North tried to bring supplies in and the South started firing at them. The significance is that Fort Sumter is where the Civil War basically began.
Fort Sumter was one of two federal ports in the South. The South wanted the Northern troops to leave, but when they refused, the Union Major was captured and he surrendered. In response, Lincoln called an end to it. This in turn caused more states to join the South. The North tried to bring supplies in and the South started firing at them. The significance is that Fort Sumter is where the Civil War basically began.
1861 - July 21
Bull Run
This battle took place a few months after Fort Sumter. The North lost and retreated. The significance is that the North thought they would win, but they were caught off guard and started trying harder. In the meantime, the South got cocky because they thought the North didn't have the will to win. The significance is that this battle shifted each of their mental and military positions.
This battle took place a few months after Fort Sumter. The North lost and retreated. The significance is that the North thought they would win, but they were caught off guard and started trying harder. In the meantime, the South got cocky because they thought the North didn't have the will to win. The significance is that this battle shifted each of their mental and military positions.
1862 - September 17
Antietam
The Battle of Antietam was the bloodiest one day battle in the history of America ending up being a win for the North. General McClellan found out General Lee's tactical plans. Unfortunately, McClellan didn't take advantage of this knowledge. In the end, it did stop Lee’s invasion and it also got McClellan fired. Lincoln then was able to issue the Emancipation Proclamation and it changed the motivations for the war.
The Battle of Antietam was the bloodiest one day battle in the history of America ending up being a win for the North. General McClellan found out General Lee's tactical plans. Unfortunately, McClellan didn't take advantage of this knowledge. In the end, it did stop Lee’s invasion and it also got McClellan fired. Lincoln then was able to issue the Emancipation Proclamation and it changed the motivations for the war.
1863 - January 1
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was put in place immediately after the Battle of Antietam. It didn't free slaves, but its main purpose was to prevent Europe from entering the war on tbehalf of the South. Lincoln made it's sole purpose to stop slavery in the US to exclude Europe. The Civil War was now all about slavery which gave the North the advantage of demonstrating higher morals.
The Emancipation Proclamation was put in place immediately after the Battle of Antietam. It didn't free slaves, but its main purpose was to prevent Europe from entering the war on tbehalf of the South. Lincoln made it's sole purpose to stop slavery in the US to exclude Europe. The Civil War was now all about slavery which gave the North the advantage of demonstrating higher morals.
1863 - July 1-3
Battle of Gettsyburg and Gettysburg Address
This battle was the Civil War's most bloody battle of the war. Each side lost almost thirty percent of their respective troops. After it was over, a ceremony was held and a cemetery built to honor the dead soldiers. Lincoln's speech was called the Gettysburg Address. He talked about humans beings being equal and freedom for all citizens, democracy and the need for one united nation. The significance of this is that it made the people aware to come together as one nation, instead of a bunch of independent states.
This battle was the Civil War's most bloody battle of the war. Each side lost almost thirty percent of their respective troops. After it was over, a ceremony was held and a cemetery built to honor the dead soldiers. Lincoln's speech was called the Gettysburg Address. He talked about humans beings being equal and freedom for all citizens, democracy and the need for one united nation. The significance of this is that it made the people aware to come together as one nation, instead of a bunch of independent states.
1864 - February
Andersonville Prison
The Andersonville Prison was a prison in the South with horrible conditions and disease. Many of the Union soldiers died here. There were frequent food shortages, which affected both the prisoners and the personnel. Within seven months, about 30% of the men died and were buried in mass graves outside the prison. Finally in May of 1865, the Andersonville Prison was shut down and the prison commander was hanged. It was another black eye for the South.
The Andersonville Prison was a prison in the South with horrible conditions and disease. Many of the Union soldiers died here. There were frequent food shortages, which affected both the prisoners and the personnel. Within seven months, about 30% of the men died and were buried in mass graves outside the prison. Finally in May of 1865, the Andersonville Prison was shut down and the prison commander was hanged. It was another black eye for the South.
1865 - April 9
Surrender at Appomattox Court House
General Lee was hoping to make one last attempt at advancing over the Union soldiers, but the arrival of Union infantry stopped him. Lee’s army was surrounded on three sides. Lee surrendered to Grant and this was the final major interaction of the Civil War and the end.
General Lee was hoping to make one last attempt at advancing over the Union soldiers, but the arrival of Union infantry stopped him. Lee’s army was surrounded on three sides. Lee surrendered to Grant and this was the final major interaction of the Civil War and the end.
1865 - April 14
Assassination of President Abraham Lincoln
President Lincoln was attending a play at the Ford Theatre when John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate follower. assassinated him. Booth felt the South was going to lose the war unless Lincoln was removed from the picture. He first made a plan to kidnap Lincoln, but he failed and came back to assassinate him later. He shot Lincoln in the back of the head and ran away. Lincoln died on April 15, 1865. This is significant because if Lincoln had lived, he would have granted blacks equal rights at that time, instead of it happening years later.
President Lincoln was attending a play at the Ford Theatre when John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate follower. assassinated him. Booth felt the South was going to lose the war unless Lincoln was removed from the picture. He first made a plan to kidnap Lincoln, but he failed and came back to assassinate him later. He shot Lincoln in the back of the head and ran away. Lincoln died on April 15, 1865. This is significant because if Lincoln had lived, he would have granted blacks equal rights at that time, instead of it happening years later.
1865 -1877
Reconstruction
The 12 years after the Civil War were very important to our country's future. Reconstruction set the standards to racial behavior and defined the government's role in shaping it. Immediately after the war, a bill was passed that said blacks couldn't rent or own land. This caused all former slaves to have to work on plantations. Because of this, President Johnson lost control. Bills were then passed that set up citizenship rights to blacks and guaranteed equal legal protection. Then the 15th Amendment gave them the right to vote. Women's rights were also expanded. This is all significant in that it set the foundation for America's future.
The 12 years after the Civil War were very important to our country's future. Reconstruction set the standards to racial behavior and defined the government's role in shaping it. Immediately after the war, a bill was passed that said blacks couldn't rent or own land. This caused all former slaves to have to work on plantations. Because of this, President Johnson lost control. Bills were then passed that set up citizenship rights to blacks and guaranteed equal legal protection. Then the 15th Amendment gave them the right to vote. Women's rights were also expanded. This is all significant in that it set the foundation for America's future.