Civil War Key Events and Legislation Overview

7 Days Campaign

McClellan's initial invasion of Virginia aimed at taking Richmond, the C.S.A. capital. Miserable failure forcing Lincoln to fire McClellan for the first time.

Trent (Slidell) Affair

When a Union blockade stops a British trade ship coming from the South, it is discovered that 2 C.S.A. diplomats are on board headed for a secret negotiation with the British. Lincoln puts the diplomats in jail as P.O.W.'s and later has to admit it was a mistake due to British public outrage.

Cotton Diplomacy

C.S.A. idea to "force" Britain and France into recognition by withholding the amount of Cotton they were willing to sell during the war. C.S.A. hopes that "King Cotton" could influence their foreign policy and aid them against the Union.

Confiscation Act (1861)

The power to seize enemy property used to wage war against the United States; "contrabands of war" = slaves!

Morrill Tariff Act (1861)

Doubled the tariff rates from before the Civil War to increase revenue & protect American manufacturers.

National Banking Act (1863)

Creates a uniform Federal currency (the Greenback), while eliminating many state bank notes.

Greenbacks

U.S treasury issued paper $. It could not be redeemed in gold, which contributed to inflation prices in the North.

Confiscation Acts

Two separate acts: 1. Passed by Congress in 1861 said slaves were "contrabands" of war and therefore would not be returned to the Confederates. 2. July 1862 - freed slaves of persons who were engaged in the rebellion against the U.S.; freed slaves could be used in the army.

Emancipation Proclamation

Lincoln announces that armed forces were to free all slaves in states at war with the U.S. as a "military necessity" on January 1, 1863.

Thirteenth Amendment

Abolishes slavery throughout the U.S. in December 1865.

Peace Democrats

Democrats who stayed loyal to the Union. Nearly all Copperheads. They considered the war a failure and until 1864 are calling for an immediate peace settlement with the C.S.A.

54th Massachusetts Infantry

1st official African American unit in the Civil War; led by Robert Gould Shaw.

Maximillion

French supported dictator of Mexico; takes throne with French military support angering the U.S.

Pickett's Charge

Ill-fated charge by Thomas Pickett (ordered by Lee) at Gettysburg leading to a Union victory.

Clara Barton

Part of The Sanitation Committee which sent out nurses to assist in military hospitals; later formed the Red Cross to help soldiers of all sides.

Andersonville

Worst and most notorious of the C.S.A. prison camps for Union P.O.W.'s.