A timeline of the causes, events, and impact of the US Civil War, but the fine young historians at USM.
Created by usmstudent on Nov 30, 2009
Last updated: 01/09/13 at 05:34 PM
An unwritten deal that settled the 1876 U.S. presidential election, and ended Reconstruction in the South. It included these 4 things: Removal of all federal troops from the southern states.
Appointment of at least one southern Democrat into Hayes's Administration.
Construction of a second transcontinental railroad in the South called the Texas and Pacific. Legislation enacted to help industrialize the South. In return, the democrats would Peacefully accept Hayes's presidency and respect blacks' rights.
http://compromiseof1877.com/info/info.htm
The election of 1876 was very controversial because the winner was determined by a “back room deal” or a secret agreement between powerful Republicans and Democrats. In basic terms, the compromise stated that the Republicans could have the presidency if they removed federal troops from Southern cities. This helped the Republicans because once you get the White House, you can have patronage, which is the awarding of jobs to your friends. The Democrats benefited from this as well because when the troops left, reconstruction in the South, with the Southern people in control, could begin. People should look at this event and learn from it, so something like this doesn’t happen in modern time. Elections are not supposed to be decided by powerful people in parties and secret deals; they’re supposed to be decided by what the people want. If a person looks at this election, they can make modifications to the Electoral College and make teaching points so something like this doesn’t happen again.
Jam M.
http://www.270towin.com/1876_Election/
A man named Jay Cooke invested an abundance of money to create a large railroad line that was called the Pacific Railroad. Another was to be created called the Northern Pacific and great numbers of men decided to invest towards this project after the Pacific Railroads great success. Suddenly the whole project came crashing down. Many banks panicked and asked for the payment for all of the loans and all the borrowers were unable to pay those loans. The New York Stock Exchange stopped, credits dried up and industries and factories were closed. Many jobs were lost and this would later lead on to a greater depression. This is an important event because it created the tension between banking and manufacturing and was one of the first big scares in the economy after the Civil War.
http://teachinghistory.org/history-content/beyond-the-textbook/24578
Hiram Revels, an African American man from Mississippi is elected to the Senate. Hiram had worked hard during the war to create legions of African American soldiers and was rewarded with a vacant spot on the US Senate.
This was an event with much impact on our nation. It was a great historical feat for the African American race; a senator of their race had just been elected to the US Senate. It caused some controversy in the Senate but he was eventually accepted.
http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/First_African_American_Senator.htm
This very important amendment that says anybody, regardless of race and color, can vote. This was a step in the right direction, in terms of Civil Rights. Many more people in the House of Representatives voted for this Amendment. The vote was 144 to 44. It was pushed through by only the Republicans, with no Democrats voting for it. If one watches the movie Lincoln, one understands Democrats did not want African-Americans to have equal rights. However most republicans wanted them to. The southern opposition to this amendment was also quite visble. After passing, southern states made literary laws and polling taxes to be able to vote. As most had been slaves, African-Americans were usually poor and unable to read. However, this amendment was one of the most important, and helped make African-Americans feel like actual Americans.
http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/15thamendment.html
After 13th amendment passed outlawing slavery, member of the Republican party, Ulysses S Grant, came to presidency March 4th, 1869. He barely had the majority of votes, but his support of black voters from the South gave him the lead in the election. As the video below talks about, President Grant served 2 terms in office. his presidency was filled with bribery and scandals, but he still managed to have his face on the $50 bill. Scandals include: Black Friday, Credit Mobilier, Whiskey Ring, Belknap Briber. There was a 5 year depression during his presidency that left many unemployed. He also assisted with the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. Although he had a few significant accomplishments, he is considered one of the worst presidents in American History, showing that America was not as great as it looked, and it had ups and downs. The important part of this presidency was that he was coming out of The Civil War, where African Americans were now free, and in his presidency is where America was still adjusting, and the fight against the KKK was only just beginning.
http://millercenter.org/president/keyevents/grant
The riots started due to continued racial tensions that occurred during reconstruction after the Civil War. A group of black soldiers killed policemen who attempted to arrest another black soldier. The soldiers later returned to base, but were unarmed and did not participate in the events that followed. A white mob gathered at the initial scene, but found no one remained there. They then proceeded into freedmen's settlements and the horrible events began. After two days of rioting, 46 blacks and two whites were dead, 75 persons were injured, 100 persons were robbed, five women were raped, 91 homes, 8 schools, and four churches were burned. It is considered the worst riot in Memphis history.
Will Koch
http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entry.php?rec=900
The Civil Rights Act of 1886 was a federal law effective April 9, 1866 that was made to try and protect the rights of African Americans. Andrew Johnson, the president of the time, vetoed the bill, but it was overruled by the Senate and the House of Representatives. The act prohibited racial discrimination towards blacks in the sale and rental of housing. This act also allowed blacks to have the same rights as a white in making and enforcing contracts, suing and be sued, giving evidence in court, and inheriting, purchasing, leasing, selling, holding, and convey real and personal property. This law does not protect foreign visitors, diplomats, or Native Americans in the United States. The act was soon broken by the Ku Klux Klan, and the act ultimately failed to protect the rights of African Americans.
Amer M
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/reconstruction/activism/ps_1866.html
Known os the "Invisible Empire of the South," the Ku Klux Klan was formed by white Confederate veterans to try to establish that they were against African Americans being free from slavery. These Southerners felt that the best way to show this was through violence and murder. The group spread rapidly through the South, terrorizing blacks everywhere. They would totrure them in many ways. The Ku Klux Klan still rages on today in society.
This is very important because this shows Extremism in America, and how people were proslavery, and this also shows that some people did agree that they were superior to others based on their race. This was also one of the first terrorist groups, and Extremists cases in America. Its impact is deeply in the South, where burning crosses and spreading their ways continues on still today. It is still around.
Genevieve Fellenz
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/grant-kkk/
On January 31, 1865, the 13th Amendment passed through the House of Representatives abolishing slavery in the United States. The amendment had passed through the Senate on April 8, 1864, and it was adopted on December 6, 1865. President Lincoln had the chance to see the Thirteenth Amendment pass through Congress before he was shot in April of 1865.
This amendment was one of the most important amendments in history. It was a definitely turning point for the United States. Most Northerners felt victorious and most Southerners felt disappointed that slavery had been abolished. This amendment had a lasting effect on the nation as a whole, and it was a very important time in our nation's history.
~Kai S
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/13th-amendment-ratified
On January 31, 1865, the 13th Amendment passed through the House of Representatives abolishing slavery in the United States. The amendment had passed through the Senate on April 8, 1864, and it was adopted on December 6, 1865. President Lincoln had the chance to see the Thirteenth Amendment pass through Congress before he was shot in April of 1865.
This amendment was one of the most important amendments in history. It was a definitely turning point for the United States. Most Northerners felt victorious and most Southerners felt disappointed that slavery had been abolished. This amendment had a lasting effect on the nation as a whole, and it was a very important time in our nation's history.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/13th-amendment-ratified
These Black Codes were laws passed to restrict African American citizens from having basic human rights. These laws were most commonly used in the South, so the South could own and control their slaves. This was important to society because now it is going to affect even the free black men and women if all negros are being submitted to this. This will also have tighter restraints on slaves, and this will cause more of a disruption to the North and South.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/experience/legal/docs6.html
These Black Codes are laws passed that are limiting an African American's freedom. THis was used mostly in the South to control slaves,and give them no rights at all.These laws are restricting even the most basic human rights to blacks in America.The Mississipi black codes were very strict codes, for Mississippi was very fond of slavery, and the property they owned. These laws were passed to stop runaways, and give blacks no rights as citizens.
Genevieve
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/experience/legal/docs6.html
On April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated at Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C. by John Wilkes Booth. The next morning at 7:22 AM, President Lincoln succumbed to his wounds and perished at the age of 56. The assassination was a turning point in United Stated history, even though it was a sad event. Lincoln had ended the Civil War and had passed the Thirteenth Amendement to abolish slavery , but he still had a huge job to do when he was killed. He had to rebuild the nation.
The United States as a whole mourned the loss of their President. Lincoln was the first President to be assassinated after all. Some Southerners who strongly supported slavery may have not cared or even rejoiced at the thought of the slavery abolisher's death. But really the nation mourned the loss together. Millions came to his funeral procession in Washington D.C. on April 19, 1865, and his body was laid to rest in Springfield, Illinois. His life may be over, but his legacy will live on forever.
~Kai S
http://www.history.com/topics/abraham-lincoln-assassination
It was the final battle before later that day the Confederacy surrendered the war. The South surrendered because they were running out of men to fight with them and there economy was falling. It was the first time Grant had talked to Lee face- to face in almost 2 decades. The war was over
On this day, Freedmen's Bureau was established, and tried to help those citizens that were new to being free after the Civil War . President Abraham Lincoln signed this bill that states that this bureau was to make the transition easier for African Americans to transfer from being enslaved to being free. It existed for seven years. The impact of this was an abolitionist movement trying to help the slaves, and stopping slavery. It proved to be a difficult task, for the KKK and other white men tried to attack this Bureau, and that it did help with the transition of being free, it didn't always mean that those people were to be treated as equals. This program could only help you get so far, but it didn't control the reaction of others.
Genevieve
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/freedmans-bureau-created
On this day, Freedmen's Bureau was established, and tried to help those citizens that were new to being free after the Civil War . President Abraham Lincoln signed this bill that states that this bureau was to make the transition easier for African Americans to transfer from being enslaved to being free. It existed for seven years. The impact of this was an abolitionist movement trying to help the slaves, and stopping slavery. It proved to be a difficult task, for the KKK and other white men tried to attack this Bureau, and that it did help with the transition of being free, it didn't always mean that those people were to be treated as equals. This program could only help you get so far, but it didn't control the reaction of others.
Genevieve
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/freedmans-bureau-created
Leading up to Sherman's March to the sea, the union has captured Atlanta. That is a huge advantage because Atlanta is a bid railroad city. Also that is one of the confederates biggest cites so it gave the union a great deal of confidence. There are some essential details to this march, for example there were 62,000 men who marched from Georgia to Atlanta. That would be 60 miles of men. This is a huge turning point because it shows that the union has a lot of force. Also, it showed the southerners that they had a great chance of loosing.Lastly, it helped reelect Abraham Lincoln.
http://www.history.com/topics/shermans-march
Sherman's March to the Sea was a march conducted by General Sherman of the Union. Sherman led a march throughout the South to frighten people living there. The soldiers in the march hoped to make residents supporting the Confederacy turn to the Union side. The soldiers didn't burn towns, but they stole food and supplies from residents who rebelled against them.
The impact of this was that the Union brought war to the doorsteps of houses.
Saurav D.
http://www.history.com/topics/shermans-march
At this point in time, the Civil War was raging on, and casualties continued to pile up as General Ulysses S. Grant was willing to win the battles at just about any cost. It was because of this that Lincoln was convinced he would lose the election. His Democratic opponent, George McClellan promised if he were elected he would negotiate peace, something the country was desperate for. Although Lincoln had been told time and time again that he would not be re-elected, he received the Republican Party nomination, and won the election, earning 55% of the popular vote and 212 electoral votes as opposed to McClellan's 21. To the north, their eventual hero had been elected. To the south, the greatest tyrannical villain in U.S. history was back in office.
Corporal Will Ko.
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/connections/abraham-lincoln-papers/history7.html
In 1864, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman starts to march to Atlanta, Georgia, a dire core of the Confederate's land, this would cut off supply lines in the south. The Confederates retreated, as they ran they destroyed the city. On November 15, Sherman's troops burned most of the city. They later continued their march through the South. Sherman's Atlanta campaign was one of the most conclusive victories of the Civil War.
Jaida Drame
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/atlanta-falls-to-union-forces
The Seven Days Battles were a series of six battles that took place over seven days near Richmond, VA. The battles were overall won by the Confederates. Though the Confederates were outnumbered, they won the series of battles. The Confederates did have the majority of casualties. ~Andrew Puetz
This battle, fought in Virginia, resulted in a Confederate victory. It was one of the final battles of Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign during the War, and is called one of the most lopsided battles in American History. Thousands were killed by a Confederate frontal attack. The Battle was the final victory won by Lee's army during the war, and was very decisive in terms of casualties.
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/battle-cold-harbor.htm
The Battle of Chickamauga was a battle fought in Georgia. The battle was fought between September 19, 1863 and September 20, 1863. The Confederate Army pulled out the victory in this battle. This battle also had the second most number of casualties besides the Battle of Gettysburg and was considered one of the most significant Union defeats. The battle was fought between the Army of Cumberland and the Confederate Army of Tennessee. After the Army of Cumberland had lost the battle, General Ulysses S. Grant came in with reinforcements and the Union took a hard fought victory. The total number of casualties(deaths, captured, missing, wounded) in the battle was 34,624 people out of 125,00 soldiers that participated. This battle is important as it shows one of the Confederate Army's largest victory lost to reinforcements by the Union. This is also important as it shows how many casualties there are in a large battle and how divided the nation was to have fought, wounded, killed, and capture each other.
-Amer M.
http://www.history.com/topics/battle-of-chickamauga
The New York City Draft Riots were a series of violent protests that revolved around drafting men to war. The riots lasted for about 3 days, these 3 days were called Draft Week. The wealthier man could spare himself from the draft by paying 300 dollars for a substitute. The military did not get to the city until the second day, and by then, most of the city's public buildings and some churches had been ransacked and destroyed. About 120 people died and 2,000 wounded in these protests. The riots were a mix of a class crisis and a racial crisis.
http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/317749.html
The Battle of Gettysburg was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It was the battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War and is often described as the war's turning point. Union . Gen. George Meade's Army of the Potomac defeated attacks by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, ending Lee's invasion of the North.
Charlie S.
http://www.glogster.com/csmith1999/killer-angels-project-/g-6ldkfj77eco6dpvbgda4ka0
The capture of Vicksburg was a vital and important victory for the Union. This impact changed the war. Finally, the Union controlled the Mississipi River, as part of the Anaconda Plan. Union General Ulysses S. Grant held a siege on the Mississipi city of Vicksburg. After forty days, running low on supplies, the Confederates, led by John C. Pemebrton surrendered. This ended the Vicksburg campaign in a bloody and decisive battle, that would forevermore affect the oucome of the Civil War.
http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/vicksburg1.html
In late april of 1863, Joseph Hooker led the Army of the Potomac across the Rappahannock River and into the dense woods around Chancellorsville. Leaving a small force at Fredericksburg, Robert E. Lee led most of his Army of Northern Virginia against the Union. When Hooker went on the defensive, Lee didn't back down. He sent Stonewall Jackson's line to strike the Union right flank on May 2. Jackson was accidentally shot and ultimately died that night by his own troops.The Confederates attacked in force on May 3, breaking the Union line. Hooker finally withdrew, giving Lee arguably his greatest victory. Against an army twice the size of his own.
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/chancellorsville.html
On April 2, 1863, a group of woman in Richmond marched to the house of the governor and demanded more food for their families. The governor did not help so the group went into stores and stole food . Troops arrived and so did President Davis. Davis threw money at the woman and told them to go home or the troops would shoot at them.
This is a super important event because it shows us how life was during the war. Woman couldn't provide enough for their families and food cost too much. The families became sick and life was not enjoyable.
Sierra S.
http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/bread_riot_richmond
Union General Burnside tries to attack Richmond and has to cross the Rappahannock River. Robert E Lee knows this and sets up in Fredericksburg. Burnside attacks up a hill to get there, but Robert E Lee is waiting for him. Robert E Lee sets up on the high ground and shoots down the Union soldiers. The Confederates easily crush the Union. The Union loses big time to the Confederates.
The impact of the Battle of Fredericksburg is that this shows that the Union is very determined and fighting with their hearts, just throwing themselves out against the Confederates. This also shows how much better the Confederate Generals were than the Union Generals.
Cole S
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/218099/Battle-of-Fredericksburg
On September 22nd, 1862, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. This influentilal document stated that in 100 days, all slaves held in rebel states would be free. The border states that were with the Union and did have slavery, could still keep slavery. He informed his cabinet of his desicion and they thought that it was best if he would wait until the Union had won a major battle. Then, he got the opportunity when the Union won the Battle at Antietam. His main motive for this was to keep the Union united, NOT to stop slavery. Lincoln gave the rebellion states 100 days to come back adn join the Union and they would still be able to keep slavery.
The proclamation also asked for the help of African Americans in the war. After this, blacks all over the North, joined the army and gave the Union strength in numbers. The prolcamation also ensured that European powers would not come to the Confederate's rescue. By making the Emancipation deal with slavery, France and Britain wanted nothing to do with it. It also unified and strengthened Lincoln's party, the Republicans. This document then led to Lincoln pushing for an antislavery amendment (the 13th Amendment) to the Constituion to that it is permanant.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/lincoln-issues-emancipation-proclamation
On September 22nd, 1882, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation exempted the border states, which had slaveholders but remained loyal to the Union. His cabinet told him to wait until he had a Union victory before he announced it. Lincoln got the opportunity after the win at the Battle of Antietam in September 1862. Then, September 22, he announced that slaves in areas that were still in rebellion within 100 days would be free. On January 1, 1863, Lincoln issued the final Emancipation Proclamation. This said that all people held as slaves that were in the rebel states are now and forever free. This lead to black military units established in the Union army. The president issued the final proclamation 100 days later because he wanted to give the states that were in rebellion time to come back and join the Union. His main goal of the Emancipation Proclamation was to unite the Union, NOT to stop slavery
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/lincoln-issues-emancipation-proclamation
The Battle of Antietam is also called the Battle of Sharpsburg. It was the first major battle of the Civil War to take place on Union soil and was the single most bloody battle with 23,000 dead, wounded and missing.
The success of driving Robert E. Lee and his men back to Virginia gave Abraham Lincoln enough confidence to announce his Emancipation Proclamation. This is very big because it discouraged the British and French to recognize the Confederacy as a new country and announced all slaves in Confederate territory free.
Lizzie K.
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/antietam.html
The Union was camped along Tennessee River, just north of Mississippi border, ready to blow a dent into the heart of the South, when they got a surprise. Grant was waiting for General Buell, so the Confederates had the chance to attack the Union soldiers before Buell came. In the early morning, Confederate General Johnston, surprised Grant in an attack. The Union was slowly pushed back from high ground towards the river. After fierce fighting, Union troops fled to rear Confederate attack. Johnston was sure that victory was theirs (Confederates) for the taking, but the Union resisted. The battle soon was raging around a small church called Shiloh. The battle ensuing was vicious, the north finally surrendered momentarily, until General Buell came to the rescue. This was the another battle won by the Union. General Johnston ended up getting killed in the battle. He was the highest ranking military official to be killed on both sides.
Ethan T
http://www.nps.gov/shil/historyculture/shiloh-history.htm
The USS Merrimac was converted to the metal monster, CSS Virginia. The Union answered with their own ironclad ships. The South wanted to control the sea to break the Union blockade. The Virginia destroyed twon Union warships and ran frigate Minnesota around Hampton Roads. The Virginia, firing on the Minnesota, brought the Union's USS Monitor to battle to a standstill. Both ships ended up backing away, though the Union considered it as a victory.
Ethan Treptow
http://users.wowway.com/~jenkins/ironclads/ironintr.htm
The Union made the first move in their attempt to take Richmond. They were stopped by Confederate forces at Bull Creek in Virginia at Manassas Junction. It was the first major battle of the War. The one day battle started out in favor of the Union. They fought well, and it seemed as though they would be victorious. The battle takes a turn though, when Confederates rallied by "Stonewall" Jackson," whom renews their energy and motivation. This was the battle that gave Jackson his nickname. The Confederates came back and won. At the end of the battle, both sides knew that this war would not be short.
Ethan T
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/bullrun.html
The Confederate attack on Union Fort Sumter was undoubtedly the spark that lit America on fire. Known as the first battle of the Civil War, Confederates under the command of P.G.T Beauregard started firing shots at the last union held fort in Charleston Harbor, Fort Sumter. The union guns, under command of Robert Anderson, replied in return. For two days, both sides battered at each other. FInally, the union forces outnumbered and running low in supplies, surrendered. Amazingly, there were no deaths, if you don't count the freak accident when a cannon misfired onto it's own shooter. Beauregard allowed the union soldiers to depart to a ship. He decided not to capture them. Surprisingly, the Confederates had won the first battle. This started the Civil War. Northerners, furious at the attack, called for immediate action, which commenced at a fast rate. Southerners were pleased to know they had won the first battle. This battle may have been bloodless, but the rest of the war took a sudden deadlier turn.
By: Anshul B
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/fort-sumter.html
Two weeks after Jefferson Davis had been inaugurated as the President of the Confederacy, Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as the 16th President of the United States. On the day of the event, Lincoln rode with President Buchanan in an open carriage to the Capitol. There, he was sworn into oath and delivered his first Inaugural Address. In this speech, he stated "I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists." By doing this, he was trying to relieve the Southern states of their apprehension regarding whether or not Lincoln would prohibit slavery in America. Yet, his words were not completely successful in soothing Southerners nerves, and this inauguration is the beginning of the end for America. From this point on, there was no avoiding war, and enough of the Southern mindsets were already ready for secession. -Liz O.
http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres31.html
Texas, the 28th state to join the Union and the 7th to secede from the Union. Texas held a state convention in which they decided if they would secede. The votes were in favor of seceding, 166 to 8 votes. Sam Houston, the governor of Texas at the time, opposed secession and favored to stick with the Union. After many abolitionist rebellions and raids, the people of Texas leaned towards secession. After Abraham Lincoln had won the election, Houston felt the pressure from the people. He then, forcing himself to do so, called a state convention in which the votes were surprisingly one sided, for secession. After Texas had seceded, Sam Houston disavowed the oath of the Confederacy. He was soon replaced by his lieutenant governor, Edward Clark.
-Amer M
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/texas-secedes
After refusing to the demands of the Northern Opposition against slavery, Louisiana, as a substantial slave state with 47% of the population enslaved by 1860, Lousiana could not take it any longer, and seceded with the other states in the first American Secession. The leaders of the Secession, John Elgee, André Roman and Claireborn Briscoe helped to pass the "Ordinance of Secession of Louisiana," which received a vote of 113-17 in the state capitol of Baton Rouge on January 26, 1861. Louisiana was an extremely important state to the South because the South's largest city, New Orleans, was an enormous port for trade in the Gulf of Mexico. New Orleans' and the entire state of Louisiana was also a great advantage for the South, for the power of control the South had with the Mississippi River was undeniably important for trade with the upper regions of the South, all of the other Southern States and the rest of the world. The Secession of Louisiana is important to the Civil War and the Southern Secession because the Secession of Louisiana allowed the South's true ownership and access to the Mississippi River to have better transport throughout the South, and New Orleans' port has great potential for international trade. Since Louisiana was also a state with a large number of slaves, it sent a message to the North communicating that the Southern State with the greatest city for trade with the rest of the world was also fed up with the North's actions and that the South could possibly have an advantage in national trade. (Tim Schmidt)
http://www.csawardept.com/documents/secession/LA/index.html
Georgia was a major slaveholding state. Governor Joseph E. Brown was a leading secessionist in 1861. He took his state out of the Union and into the Confederacy. Georgia wanted state rights. They did not like that they did not get a voice in the government. It was an advantage to the Confederacy to get another state to join, but not an advantage to the Union because another state seceded from them.
Nikita M
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-1085
The southern state Mississippi was the second to secede from the Union. In their secesion letter, Mississippi does not use the term slave. They use terms such as negro equality, but even though they do not say slaves, they are implying that a major cause for them leaving the union was slavery. This is important because it will lead to a Civil War much longer then anyone expected.
Eva K
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/Mississippi_secession.htm
South Carolina was the first state to succeed from the union. This made a domino effect on the other southern states. The first shots of the Civil War were fired in Charleston by its Citadel cadets upon a civilian merchant ship Star of the West bringing supplies to the beleaguered Federal garrison at Fort Sumter January 9, 1861. The April 1861 Confederate bombardment of Fort Sumter ignited what became a four-year struggle that divided the nation. States that followed South Carolina in order to form a new country, were, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas. They followed South Carolina in less than a month.
The Crittenden Compromise was an unsuccessful proposal from Kentucky Senator John Crittenden as a final compromise to stop the slave states from seceding by addressing their concerns. It guaranteed the permanent existence of slavery in the slave states, and reestablished the Missouri Compromise, prohibiting slavery above 36°30′. The compromise couldn't be repealed or amended.
The Southerners liked the plan, but the Republicans were against it as it let slavery expand, causing the House of Representatives, the Senate, and Abraham Lincoln to reject it. These rejections greatly increased tentions between the north and the south which is what makes this event significant. It made the south contemplate secession.
Emily Chou
http://sunsite.utk.edu/civil-war/critten.html
On November 6, 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected for President. The election was a crucial point in American history. Our 16th President changed that nation forever. He may be the most loved and hated President's ever for mostly one reason.
The country, obviously having no knowledge of the events that would occur during the 16th President's term, did not know that his term would mark the end of slavery in the United States. Unfortunately, the decision to end slavery only came after the most deadly American war in history. Most Southerners would have been devastated over the loss in the war and the fact that slavery was coming to an end in America. On the contrary, the Northerners Maybe Lincoln could have moved Americans away from the precipice that was the Civil War, but it would have been quite grueling task. ~Kai S
http://ehistory.osu.edu/world/articles/articleview.cfm?aid=32
With a small group of men, John Brown raided and took the town of Harper's Ferry. As soon as his men had control of the town, they went into a defensive mode. But, President Buchanan dispatched US Marines to remove John Brown from his "fort". John Brown was the first man to attempt to end slavery with violence; his actions got six men, and himself hung.
This even had a strong impact on our nation. For one, it was the first time anyone had tried to use violence against slavery. Second, John Brown became a "poster child" for abolitionists. Although he is the extreme for abolitionists, after his raid on Harpers Ferry he was considered a normal abolitionist.
Lizzie K.
http://www.civilwar.org/150th-anniversary/john-browns-harpers-ferry.html
It was the second of the Lincoln-Douglas and Abraham Lincoln made Douglas choose between Popular Sovereignty and the rule of the court (the Dred Scott decision.) Stephen Douglas of Illinois replied that slavery could be banned in a territory if the people wished it to be. His statement went against the Dred Scott decision that said that slavery could not be banned in a territory. With this Freeport Doctrine from Douglas, he split the Democratic party, giving Abraham Lincoln the presidency later on.
-Davis Collison
http://www.history.com/topics/lincoln-douglas-debates
Senator Charles Sumner gave a very controversial, passionate speech on "The Crime Against Kansas." In this speech, he compared . Senator Preston Brooks of South Carolina had a history of violence, and needed to use a cane to walk due to being shot in the hip in a duel when he was younger. Brooks discussed the possibility of a duel with a fellow senator, who informed him that duels were between men of equal social standing. Since Brooks regarded Sumner as far unequal to himself, he publicly beat Sumner with his cane in the Senate brutally, and didn't stop beating the unconscious man until his cane broke, while Representative Laurence Keitt fended off the crowd with a pistol.
Katie F.
http://history1800s.about.com/od/abolitionmovement/a/sumnerbeaten.htm
The Kansas-Nebraska Act opened the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to slavery and pretty much voided the Missouri Compromise of 1820. Many Northern Free Soilers and Abolitionists were unhappy with this Act, as it spread slavery to the North, an area of the United States that was supposed to be free ~Andrew Puetz
Harriet Beecher Stowe was a teacher and an active abolitionist. She wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin to show how cruel slavery was. This book is about a the slavelife of Uncle Tom. It was the second best selling booking, following the Bible. Uncle Tom's Cabin made a great impact on America. It changed many people's views on slavery. It also upset the South deeply. This book was one of the causes that started the Civil War. Even Abraham Lincoln said it was. So this is the little lady who started this great war." Lincoln commented. Uncle Tom's Cabin was a major turning point in American history.
Nikita M
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/uncle-toms-cabin-is-published
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