Abraham Lincoln vs George McClellan
Lincoln argued that the war must be won, the slaves be freed, and the Union be preserved at all costs. McClellan argued that the war must be gone so that the South could secede, which meant that slavery would continue in the Southern states.
Battle of Bull Run
July 1861
The Confederates forced a retreat on the Union. This would be a long war and showed that the North needed a well-trained army.
General McClellan takes command and builds an army.
Battle of Shiloh
April 1862
The southern Tennessee Union won, but suffered heavy losses, as in
20,000 troops killed or wounded (on both sides).
Battle at Antietam Creek
September 1862 - September 1, 1862
General Lee wanted the South to invade the North to get Britain's attention. General McClellan leads the Union army into THE bloodiest battle in American history. About 6,000 men died and about 16,000 were wounded. The Union was victorious.
Battle of Chatanooga
1863
This battle secured eastern Tennessee, which was led by General Grant. It created a major railroad junction, and cleared the way for an invasion on Georgia.
Emancipation Proclamation
January 1863
This event allowed the Union to recruit black soldiers. Nearly 180,000 black men joined.
Victory at Vicksburg
1863
This put the Confederacy on the defensive and set the stage for its surrender. It cut off the Mississippi River and cut the South in half.
Battle of Gettysburg
July 1 1863 - July 3 1863
The Confederate army of Northern Virginia was defeated. General Lee retreated back into Virginia. In the Union, the victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg increased the morale of the United States and its armies. Many people now felt that the war could be won. The Confederacy had losses at Vicksburg and Gettysburg, which decreased their morale. They'd be fighting a defensive war.
Lincoln's Re-election
1864
Lincoln needed to pass the 13th amendment, banning slavery in the United States. The Thirteenth Amendment was passed on January 31, 1865.
The Siege at Petersburg
June 9 1864 - March 25 1865
The Confederates had defenses at this supply station, and Union army was forced to get in. The Union and Confederate armies fought a series of trench-warfare battles, which were appetizers to WWI.