American Civil War Causes and Events

Causes of the American Civil War

• Slavery: The main issue dividing the North and South, with the North opposing the expansion of slavery and the South defending it as a way of life.
• States' Rights: The South felt the North was infringing on their rights as states, leading to secession and the formation of the Confederacy.
• Economic and Cultural Differences: The North and South had different economies, cultures, and lifestyles, leading to tensions and disagreements.

Events Leading to the Civil War

• The Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854): Allowed new states to decide on slavery, leading to pro-slavery and anti-slavery violence in Kansas.
• The Dred Scott Decision (1857): The Supreme Court ruled that slaves were not citizens and had no right to sue in court, further dividing the nation.
• John Brown's Raid (1859): Abolitionist John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia, aimed to spark a slave rebellion, but ended in failure.
• The Election of 1860: Abraham Lincoln's victory as the first Republican President, opposed to the expansion of slavery, led to Southern secession.

The Civil War (1861-1865)

• The Battle of Fort Sumter (April 12, 1861): The first battle of the Civil War, marking the start of the conflict.
• The Union and Confederacy: The Union (North) and Confederacy (South) formed their own governments, armies, and economies.
• Major Battles: Bull Run, Shiloh, Antietam, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, and Appomattox Courthouse were key battles that turned the tide of the war.
• Emancipation Proclamation (1863): Lincoln's declaration freeing all slaves in Confederate territory, but not in border states or areas already under Union control.
• Surrender at Appomattox (April 9, 1865): General Robert E. Lee's surrender to General Ulysses S. Grant, marking the effective end of the Civil War.

Aftermath and Reconstruction

• The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln (April 14, 1865): Lincoln's death led to Vice President Andrew Johnson becoming President.
• The Reconstruction Era (1865-1877): The period of rebuilding and rebuilding the South, marked by the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution.
• The End of the Civil War and Slavery: The Civil War resulted in the abolition of slavery, but the legacy of slavery and racism continued to affect American society.