FAQ About History for History Students

The American Civil War, which took place from 1861 to 1865, was a significant conflict between the Northern states (the Union) and the Southern states (the Confederacy) within the United States. Here are some key events that shaped the course of the war:

• Secession of Southern States: Following the election of President Abraham Lincoln, who opposed the expansion of slavery, several Southern states seceded from the Union. South Carolina was the first to secede in December 1860, followed by Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas.
• Battle of Fort Sumter (April 12-14, 1861): The Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter, a federal fort located in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor. The battle marked the beginning of the Civil War, as it was the first major military engagement between the Union and the Confederacy.
• Emancipation Proclamation (January 1, 1863): President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory were to be set free. While it did not immediately free any slaves, it shifted the purpose of the war toward ending slavery and gained support for the Union cause.
• Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863): Considered a turning point in the war, the Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania was one of the bloodiest battles and resulted in a Union victory. The Confederate General Robert E. Lee's attempt to invade the North was repelled, leading to heavy casualties and weakening the Confederate army.
• Gettysburg Address (November 19, 1863): President Abraham Lincoln delivered a short but powerful speech at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg. Known as the Gettysburg Address, it emphasized the principles of equality and liberty and redefined the war as a struggle to preserve the nation's founding ideals.
• Siege of Vicksburg (May 18 - July 4, 1863): The Union forces, led by General Ulysses S. Grant, laid siege to the Confederate-held city of Vicksburg, Mississippi. After a lengthy siege, the Confederate forces surrendered, giving the Union control over the Mississippi River and effectively dividing the Confederacy.
• Assassination of President Lincoln (April 14, 1865): Just days after the Confederate surrender, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. His death had a profound impact on the nation and marked a tragic end to the war.
• Surrender at Appomattox Court House (April 9, 1865): General Robert E. Lee, commanding the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. This event effectively ended the Civil War, as other Confederate forces subsequently surrendered.