After Abraham Lincoln was officially elected as president of the United States, South Carolina held a convention in which the state seceded. After a regional convention in December 1860, the South concurred they would all secede to protect the institution of slavery. State conventions would soon follow in the location of their respective state in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. The secession of the Southern states was the culmination of years of regional tension between the North and the South, leading to a finally divided nation. The events of the war would not have occurred if the states hadn’t seceded. This event’s significance is not understated enough as it set the precedent for the severity that bipartisan division will cause within America.
Attack on Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter was located in Charleston, South Carolina and because of it’s location in the South, the U.S federal government no longer had legal claim to it. Lincoln would send provisions of foo, leading the fort to retaliate with weaponry. The attack took place on April 12th, 1861. The telegraph was a notable new invention deployed to notify new of the attack on Fort Sumter. The Northerners would eventually win over Fort Sumter after a grueling two-day battle. This event is what empowered many Northeners to unite and enlist, iniating the first of many Union soldiers into the War. The attack on Fort Sumter is largely considered the first actual battle of the Civil War in which the regions physically fought.
The Anaconda Plan
The Anaconda Plan was first developed on May 3rd, 1861, and took place in Southern ports as the Union’s federal government wished to take advantage of its strong navy. Steam-powered, iron-clad boats were soon developed during the Civil War as the plan was not capable of reaching its true potential because of the lack of quality of warships. The plan would eventually culminate in successfully dividing the Confederacy by taking control of the Mississippi River. The Anaconda Plan would prove massively successful in asserting a Union victory. It perfectly utilized the Union’s advantages and the military successes created by the plan prevented any foreign aid to the Confederacy.
Trent Affair
In late 1861, James Mason and John Slidell went on a diplomatic mission to England on behalf of the Confederacy. Their British boat, the Trent, was captured by the Union, and the two were imprisoned. Britain took offense at the imprisonment, forcing Lincoln to let go of Mason and Slidell. There was no advanced technology utilized during this event of the Civil War. The Confederacy’s intention with the Trent Affair proved futile as neither France nor England would recognize them as a country after this incident. This event deeply improved the Union’s chances as it prevented the war from expanding to an international affair. The Confederacy not gaining any allies was significant in the war not prolonging any longer or expanding the death toll any larger than it would require.
Battle of Antietam
At Antietam Creek in Maryland on September 17th, 1862, the Battle of Antietam occurred and ended within the next day. General Lee hoped that winning a battle for the Confederacy would convince Britain to support their cause. Lee was incapable of breaking through the Union and would end up retreating. The 22,000-person death toll was largely due to rifled muskets, advanced guns that allowed for precise shots. Lee was unsuccessful in creating a battle victorious enough that Britain would join the Confederacy as their ally. It was largely considered a draw on both sides due to the immense mortality rate. Lincoln would then replace General McClellan as he failed to pursue Lee’s retreat to the South, forever altering the course of the war. The Battle of Antietam was important as it gave Lincoln the opportunity to issue the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.
First Battle of Bull Run
On July 12th, 1861, over thirty thousand Union soldiers made their way to Bull Run Creek in Virginia. The First Battle of Bullrun was the first-ever instance of aerial reconnaissance as the Union was using hot-air balloons to spy on the Confederacy. Although the Union was nearly won, General Thomas Jackson would counterattack, causing the Union to retreat to Washington. It would prove that the war would extend far greater than anyone initially anticipated. Because this was the first battle of the Civil War, its Confederate victory promoted the myth of invincible rebels and initiated the war with a large Confederate morale boost seen throughout the initial battle.
The Peninsula Campaign
In March 1682, General George B. McClellan commanded a Union army to invade Virginia. This was the first instance of an ironclad warship in use, it had taken years of European development before the invention could finally be put in use. Confederate General Robert E. Lee soon put the Union’s attempts at expansion to a halt with his cunning strategies. After five months of constant back and forth, the Union was forced to retreat. The Peninsula Campaign changed the Union’s Commander from McClellan to General John Pope, altering the future of all military decisions. General John Pope’s promotion to Union Commander was significant in making the Union into a more offensive army which was essential in its victory.
Second Battle of Bull Run
The Second Battle of Bull Run took place from August 28th to August 30th, 1862 in Prince William County Virginia. General Lee was successfully able to draw the new Commander Pope into a trap that sent the Union army back to Bull Run. The telegraph was essential in keeping the federal government notified of this battle’s updates. The Union would unfortunately lose this battle as Pope would withdraw from it entirely to defend Washington D.C. This initiated the possibility of the Confederacy expanding into Union territory. Such a Confederacy victory opened the door towards foreign intervention, which although did not occur, was significant at the time as it placed heavy pressure on General Pope and his army to secure a Union victory.
Monitor vs Merrimac
On March 9th, 1862, in Hampton Roads, Virginia, two iron boats that represented the Confederacy and Union respectively fought. The Merrimac was originally the Union’s but was salvaged by the Confederacy and renamed the Virginia. These ironclad warships were the most advanced piece of military weaponry during their time. Although both sides claimed that they were victorious, many historians conclude that Monitor had won as it successfully prevented the Virginia from destroying any other Union boats. Major General George B. McClellan was able to advance the Army of the Potomac toward Virginia thanks to the Monitor. The battle would forever change America’s naval warfare tactics as this type of violence was completely unfounded, making it a significant moment not just for the Civil War but for American history as a whole.
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg took place from December 11th to December 15th of 1862 in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
The telegraph was used in this battle.
The Confederates won the Battle of Fredericksburg
It affected the outcome of the overall war by causing the Union to remove General Ambrose Burnside from command of the Army of the Potomac and also boosted the morale of the Confederates because they won
This event was important because it was one of the largest battles and had one of the highest casualties of the War. It also had the first opposed river crossing in American militia history and the Civil War’s first time with urban combat.
Massachusetts 54th Regiment
They were active from March 13th, 1863 to August 4th, 1865 and they were in the Union Army. They trained at Camp Meigs in Readville, which is close to Boston and they bought at Fort Wagner.
Many more African Americans enlisted in the Union Army and they were inspired by this regiment.
It led to a lot more Black troops joining the Union Army, which led to the Union winning because they had more power and morale in their forces.
This event was important because it showed how African Americans could be just as skilled in combat as white people, and they advocated for equal pay as white troops got. They were the 2nd ever Black regiment in America.
Battle of Vicksburg
The Battle of Vicksburg took place between May 18th to July 4th in 1863. This was in Warren County, Mississippi, and was near the Mississippi River.
There was no entirely new technology used in this event, but they did have a lot of ironclad warships in the river, which was a technological aspect of this battle.
The Union won this battle against the Confederates.
This event split the Confederacy in half because the Union took the Mississippi. This helped contribute to the war as it destabilized a lot of the South and gave the Union the upper hand.
This event was important because it boosted the Union's morale as well as it isolated Southern states, which made this a huge turning point for the Union.
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was fought from July 1st to the 3rd in 1863. It took place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
One new technology used was military observation balloons, which showed them large areas of the battlefield.
The Union won the battle of Gettysburg.
This battle weakened the Confederate army by a lot and halted their offense in the North, which helped contribute to winning the war.
It is important because it is viewed as a decisive victory for the Union. It was a morale boost for the Union and is also associated with Lincoln’s famous 2 minute speech.
The New York City Draft Riots
The New York City Draft Riots began on July 13th and lasted until July 16th of 1863. They took place in Manhattan in New York City.
The riots were suppressed and they changed the rules of the draft. Now, the price quota was cut in half.
This didn’t directly affect the outcome of the Civil War, but it did divide New York City on the issue of race and worry about different races ‘stealing’ jobs from workers. It also made it much harder to recruit soldiers.
This event was important because it is considered the largest civil disturbance in America. From it, the NYPD was created and it established the dominance of white people when it came to jobs and property.
Sherman’s March to the Sea
This march took place in Georgia. It began in Atlanta on November 15th, 1864 and ended in Savannah on December 21st, 1864.
The Union used railroads to transport themselves across the states.
The Union defeated the Confederates and the South retreated to South Carolina.
This event damaged the South’s economy significantly and showed how the Union could still fight well inside enemy lines, which broke the South’s morale and eventually led to surrender.
This event was important because it disrupted the Confederates' supply chain, which broke their morale and caused the South to start resenting the war.
The Surrender of Appomattox Court House
The surrender took place at the Mclean House in the Appomattox Court House in Virginia on April 9th, 1865.
General Robert E. Lee surrendered his troops to the Union and officially ended the fighting in Virginia.
It set a precedent for the future of the war and only a mere 16 months later was the war officially ended by President Lincoln.
This event was important because it was the beginning of the end of the war, and it also set up how future surrenders should play out.
Confederate States of America
From 1861 to 1865, the Confederate states were South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
The Confederate states were defeated in the Civil War and they surrendered to the Union.
The events of secession were part of the reason for starting the war, and caused tensions to increase until the first battle.
This event was important because it showed how divisive the slavery issue was in America and how strong the Union was.
Bordering states Remain in the Union
The bordering states that remained in the Union were Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, and West Virginia. These were border states in the Union from 1861 to 1865, the entirety of the Civil War.
They were loyal to the Union while still preserving slavery and they provided resources for the troops. Soldiers also came from these states as well and many battles were fought near these states.
They affected the outcome because they were home to a lot of agriculture and animals, which gave the Union a lot of food resources while fighting. They also gave a lot of manpower for the Union.
This was important because it showed not all slave states seceded from the Union. It showed their loyalty to the Union and also made it much more complicated on the subject of whether or not to free slaves throughout the entire country.
The Confiscation Acts of 1861 & 1862
The Confiscation Act was signed into law on August 6th, 1861. It was signed in the White House in Washington D.C.
The act freed slaves, allowed the Union to seize property to support the war, and declared that property used to support the Confederates was subject to capture.
It was a symbolic step towards emancipation and established the fact that the Confederates will be getting consequences for their actions against the Union.
It ensured slavery will end once the war was won by the Union and settled the idea that there was no Constitutional way to end slavery.
The Lieber Code
This event took place in Washington D.C in 1863.
No, this event did not introduce the use of any new specific technology that was new to the Civil War.
The outcome of this event was a positive one as it outlined the proper procedure and behavior for the military.
This code aided the Union’s victory due to it setting a more controlled environment for the military and showed their morals.
This event was important because it was the first time there were any set rules for war that outlined the manner in which the soldiers should conduct themselves.
The Homestead Act - May 20, 1862
This event took place on May 20, 1862 in Washington D.C.
This event did not introduce any new specific technology that was new to the Civil War.
The outcome of this event was the distribution of many acres of land that led to the quickening pace of western expansion.
This event affected the outcome of the overall war by causing an increase in the Union’s population.
This event was important because it led to the rapid increase of westward settlement.
The Pacific Railroad Act, July 1st 1862
This event took place on July 1, 1862 in Washington D.C.
This event did not bring an entirely new form of technology to the Civil War.
The outcome of this event was the first transcontinental railroad of the United States.
The outcome of this event affected the war in many ways but the main one was the fast and effective transportation of logistical necessities.
This event was important because it is what allowed the construction of the first transcontinental railroad.
13th Amendment
This event took place on January 31, 1865 in Washington D.C.
This event did not introduce any new specific technology that was new to the Civil War.
The outcome of this event was the abolishment of slavery.
The outcome of this event was that it ended the Civil War by getting rid of this point of conflict.
This event was important because it ended the institution of slavery and the Civil War by making a clear decision on slavery and where the country would stand.
14th Amendment
This event took place on June 13, 1866 in Washington D.C.
This event did not introduce any new specific technology that was new to the Civil War.
The outcome of this event was birthright citizenship and the guarantee of due process to all citizens.
This event affected the outcome of the overall war by offering protection and citizenship to people who were formerly enslaved.
This event was important because it guaranteed the protection of rights and citizenship by birthright to the people. This meant making it more difficult for southern states to try and reestablish the former systems in regard to African Americans.
15th Amendment
This event took place on February 26, 1869 in Washington D.C.
This event did not introduce any new specific technology to the Civil War.
The outcome of this event was the new ability for males of any race or color to vote in elections.
This event reassured the Union’s victory by showing that they did not only abolish slavery but they were setting equality and civil rights for all men. Which showcased the overall outcome of victory for the Union.
This event was important because it set the precedent of equality and civil rights. It did this by guaranteeing men of color a vote. This was the first of many steps towards equality and rights for all.
Conscription Act
This event took place in March, 1863 in Washington D.C. This event was co-launched with the “Enrollment Act.”
This event did not introduce any new specific technology to the Civil War.
The outcome of this event was the overall enlargement of the military.
This event did help the confederacy in their victory but caused a strain on the Union’s republic.
This event was important because it led to other follow-up events of significance such as the New York City draft riots. As well as increasing the manpower of the military furthering their reach.
The Emancipation Proclamation- late 1862
This event took place on September 22, 1862 in Washington D.C.
This event did not introduce any new specific technology to the Civil War.
The outcome of this event was the new found freedom of enslaved people still within the confederate states.
This event greatly impacted the driving force of the Union. It moved the war's focus of preserving the union to the focus of abolishing slavery.
This event was important because it showed the Union’s morals and attracted the attention of African American soldiers which gave the Union yet another advantage.
The Suspension of Habeas Corpus- September 15, 1863
The suspension of Habeas Corpus took place on September 24th, 1862.
There was no new technology introduced during the suspension of Habeas Corpus.
This allowed American citizens to be arrested without knowing the charges against them and prevented them from filing reports against potential unlawful imprisonment.
This assisted in maintaining control in the North as Confederate sympathizers were able to be dealt with through unconstitutional methods.
The suspension of Habeas Corpus was important in setting a precedent as to what America should pursue during deeply divided, challenging times.
Election of 1864- November 1864
This event took place in November of 1864 in Washington D.C.
This event did not introduce any new specific technology to the Civil War.
The outcome of the Election of 1864 was president Lincoln’s landslide victory.
The election affected the war's outcome by ensuring that the drive of the war would remain the same.
This event was important because it was the event in which it was decided that Lincoln would remain the leader of the country and that he would continue to lead American troops through war.
The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln- April 14th -15th, 1865
This event took place on April 14, 1865 in Washington D.C.
This event did not introduce any new specific technology to the Civil War.
The outcome of this event was the death of president Lincoln after nine hours of fighting for his life.
Due to the war having already been over at the time when this event took place it did not directly affect the outcome of the war but it did however, impact the reconstruction after the war.
This event was important because it marked a time of great sadness for the nation as it ended the life of a beloved president who is still greatly remembered even in modern times.
