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Republican party is formed
A new political party was created to oppose the spread of slavery into new territories. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act passed
This law let people in Kansas and Nebraska vote on if they wanted to allow slavery, leading to a conflict known as "Bleeding Kansas." -
Abraham Lincoln elected president
Lincoln won the presidency as a Republican, which made many Southern states sad who feared he would end slavery. -
South Carolina votes to secede from the United States
In response to Lincoln’s election, South Carolina left the United States, becoming the first state to secede. -
Confederate forces fire on Fort Sumter
The Civil War began when Southern troops fired at the Union in South Carolina. -
Lincoln suspends habeas corpus
Lincoln temporarily removed the right to a fair trial to deal with threats to the Union during the war. -
Richmond becomes the capital of the Confederacy
The capital of the Confederacy was moved to Richmond, Virginia, closer to key battles. -
First Battle of Bull Run is fought
The first major battle of the Civil War showed that the conflict would be longer and bloodier than expected. -
Jefferson Davis elected president of the Confederacy
Jefferson Davis was elected as the leader of the Confederate States. -
The Merrimac and the Monitor fight off the Virginia coast
The first battle between warships showed how naval warfare was changing. -
Battle of Shiloh
A major Union victory in Tennessee, with heavy casualties on both sides. -
Robert E. Lee is named commander of the Army of Northern Virginia
Lee took command of the Confederate army in Virginia and became one of its most important generals. -
Battle of Antietam
The bloodiest single-day battle in U.S. history. It ended in a draw but gave Lincoln the chance to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
A major Confederate victory where Union forces suffered heavy losses. -
Emancipation Proclamation is announced
Lincoln declared that slaves in Confederate states were free, changing the wars focus to ending slavery. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
A big win for the Confederacy, even though they lost General “Stonewall” Jackson to friendly fire. -
Battle of Gettysburg
A turning point in the war; the Union defeated Lee's invasion of the North. -
Confederates surrender at Vicksburg
The Union took control of the Mississippi River, splitting the Confederacy in two. -
New York City drafts riots
Protests broke out against the military, especially among poor immigrants. -
Lincoln gives his Gettysburg Address
A short but powerful speech honoring fallen soldiers and redefining the purpose of the war. -
Atlanta is captured
Union General Sherman captured this key Southern city, helping Lincoln win re-election. -
Abraham Lincoln defeats George McClellan to win re-election
Lincoln won a second term, defeating his former general George McClellan. -
Sherman begins his March to the Sea
Sherman's army marched through Georgia, destroying railroads and supplies to weaken the South. -
Congress passes the 13th Amendment
This amendment, which would end slavery in the U.S., passed Congress and went to the states for approval. -
Freedmen's Bureau is created
This agency helped people that used to be enslaved by providing food, education, and legal support. -
Lincoln gives his second inaugural address
Lincoln called for peace and healing as the war neared its end. -
Richmond falls to the Union Army
The Confederate capital was captured by Union troops, showing the collapse of the Confederacy. -
Robert E. Lee surrenders at Appomattox
General Lee surrendered to General Grant, ending the Civil War. -
President Lincoln Assassinated
Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth just days after the war ended. -
John Wilkes Booth is killed
The man who killed Lincoln was tracked down and shot by Union soldiers.