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Kansas Nebraska act passed
allowed terriitories to decide on slavery through popular sovrentary . led to violent conflict in "bleeding Kansas " -
first battle of bull run is fought
first major battle confederate victory shocked the north -
New York city draft riots
violent protests over the union draft and racial tensions -
republican party is formed
founded in opposition to the expansion of slavery , would become Abraham Lincoln's party -
Robert e Lee surrenders at Appomattox
marked the official end of the civil war -
Abraham Lincoln elected president
his anti-slavery stance caused southern states to begin seceding -
south Carolina votes to secede from the U.S.
first state to secede setting the stage for the civil war -
Jefferson Davis elected president of the confederacy
chosen as leader of the confederate states of america -
confederate forces fire on fort Sumter
marked the start of the civil war -
Lincoln suspends habeas corpus
suspends constitutional rights to control rebellion and dissent -
Richmond becomes capital of the confederacy
moved from Montgomery Alabama due to strategic importance -
Sherman begins his march to the sea
devastates the south economy and will to fight -
emancipation proclamation announced
freed slaves in confederate states changing the wars purpose -
the Merrimack and the monitor fight
ironclad ships battle to a draw revolutionized naval warfare -
battle of Shiloh
union victory in Tennessee with heavy casualties on both sides -
Robert e Lee named commander of the arm northern Virginia
became the confederacy top general -
confederate forces surrender at Vicksburg
union gained control of the Mississippi river -
battle of antietam
bloodiest one day battle gave Lincoln confidence to issue the emancipation proclamation -
Abraham Lincoln defeats George McClellan
re elected despite war time tensions ensuring continuation of war effort -
battle of fredricksburg
major confederate victory with heavy union losses -
Richmond falls to the union army
confederate capital captured signaling impending end of the war -
battle of Chancellorsville
lee's greatest victory but stonewall Jackson was fatally wounded -
battle of Gettysburg
turning point of the war major union victory -
Lincoln gives Gettysburg address
honored the fallen and reaffirmed national purpose -
freedoms bureau is created
helped former slaves transition to freedom with education and aid -
Atlanta is captured
major union victory key to Lincoln re election -
congress passes the 13th amendment
abolished slavery in the United States -
Lincoln gives his second inaugural address
called for unity, peace, and healing after the war -
president Lincoln is assassinated
shot by John wilkes booth at fords theater died the next morning -
John wilkes booth is killed
shot by union soldiers during manhunt in Virginia