Civil War Legislation, Battles, and Key Legal Cases

Habeas Corpus

An arrested person must be brought charges within 48 hours and/or in front of a court/judge to hear their crimes.

Suspension of Writs of Habeas Corpus

Briefly suspended by Lincoln during the war in places that were pro-Confederate (Border States), allowing arrested individuals to be held without knowing the charges against them.

Revenue Act of 1861 and 1862

Started to pay for the war by raising taxes on the wealthy.

Continued the financial measures to pay for the war and introduced Greenbacks.

The Morrill Tariff Act (1861)

Raised tariff rates to increase revenue and protect American manufacturers, initiating a Republican program of high protective tariffs.

Homestead Act (1862)

Promoted settlement of the Great Plains by offering parcels of 160 acres of public land free to those who would farm it for at least five years, with a start-up fee of $30.

Morrill Land Grant Act (1862)

Encouraged states to use the sale of federal land grants to maintain agricultural and technical colleges.

The Pacific Railway Act (1862)

Authorized the building of a transcontinental railroad over a northern route to link the economies of California and the western territories with the eastern states.

Election of 1864

Republican Lincoln defeats 'Peace' Democrat and former Union general George McClellan.

Total War

Unrestricted warfare; sacrifice everything for complete victory.

Sherman's March (to the Sea)

Union general William T. Sherman's attempt to break the will of the South by destroying everything of economic value on his way through Georgia, allowing pillaging but forbidding killing or rape.

Appomattox Court House (April 9, 1865)

Where Confederate general Robert E. Lee officially surrenders to Union general Ulysses S. Grant, symbolically ending the Civil War.

John Wilkes Booth (April 14, 1865)

Actor and Confederate sympathizer who assassinated President Lincoln at Ford's Theater in Washington D.C. during the play 'Our American Cousin'.

Ex Parte Milligan

Supreme Court case that states civilians can be tried by military tribunals only when regular civilian courts are unavailable.