Civil War and Reconstruction in Georgia Timeline by Jaylen Kenon

The Missouri Compromise of 1820

jaylenkenon — 2024-01-09 14:49:43 UTC

The Missouri Compromise was a Compromise between the free and slave states. The Compromise was made to have a balance of power in the Senate. The rule was that if a free/slave state was to enter the Union, then a state from the opposite perspective had to as well. This kept the power balanced between the states, and delayed the Civil War.

Compromise of 1850 / Georgia Platform

jaylenkenon — 2024-01-10 15:13:43 UTC

The Compromise of 1850 was another Compromise between the free and slave states. The Compromise made the balance of power in the Senate uneven. California entered the Union, giving the free states more power than the slave states. The slave states disagreed with that, so there was a Compromise needed. Alexander Stephens led the Georgia Platform. The point of the Georgia Platform was to introduce the Fugitive Slave Act, which had fugitive (runaway) slaves in the North sent to the South. The plan worked, which made the Compromise of 1850 happen. The free states benefited because California was in the Union, and the slave states benefited because runaway slaves would now be sent back.

Dred Scott Case (1857)

jaylenkenon — 2024-01-10 15:32:55 UTC

Dred Scott was a slave from Missouri who was freed by his master and was sent to Illinois/Wisconsin (Free Slave States). He returned to Missouri, thinking he was a free man because the Missouri Law stated, “If a slave spends any time in a free state, than they are forever free.” The state of Missouri decided to undo that law, and deemed Scott as a slave. Scott appealed to the Supreme Court, and they sided with Missouri. The Supreme Court ruled blacks as property, and they were not citizens. This pleased the Southern slave owners, but angered the North.

Election of 1860

jaylenkenon — 2024-01-10 15:36:22 UTC

In 1860, there were four candidates for the Election of 1860. Each candidate had different perspectives on slavery. Abraham Lincoln wanted to stop the spread of slavery, and keep it strictly in where it is. This was the main opposition of the Southern states. John Breckinridge wanted to keep slavery going and spreading, and he supported secession if slaves were taken away from Southern states. This was the main opposition of the Northern states. Stephen Douglas wanted to allow states entering the Union to vote for their Union to have slavery or not, only winning two states. John Bell just wanted to ignore slavery and keep the Union united, winning over states that weren't picking a side. Abraham Lincoln won this election.

The Start of the Civil War (1861)

jaylenkenon — 2024-01-10 15:37:09 UTC

Because of Abraham Lincoln's election, South Carolina seceded from the Union. Texas, Los Angeles, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida followed later. On April 2nd, 1861, Confederates launched the first shots in Fort Sumter, South Carolina. The Union surrendered, starting the war. After this, Tennessee, North Carolina, Arkansas, and Virginia secede from the nation.

Emancipation Proclamation (Jan, 1863)

jaylenkenon — 2024-01-11 14:48:57 UTC

Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation with the goal of having the rebellion states stop fighting. He basically announced that slaves in rebellion states were freed. He wanted the rebellion states to join the union so they could keep their slaves, but they didn't.

Sherman's Atlanta Campaign/March to Sea (1864-1865)

jaylenkenon — 2024-01-11 15:03:06 UTC

William T. Sherman led an attack on Atlanta to capture because it was the transportation hub of the Confederacy. After destroying Atlanta, Sherman wanted to destroy the rest of Georgia. He also wanted to punish civilians, so he did just that. This was called the "Total War". Sherman and his men destroyed everything until he came to Savannah, where they surrendered without fighting back.

End of the Civil War (1865)

jaylenkenon — 2024-01-12 14:20:58 UTC

On April 9th, 1865, Robert E. Lee surrendered the Confederate Army to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse. Grant allowed the Confederates to keep what they had, they just had to stop and go home. This ended the Civil War.

13th Amendment (Ratified: December 6th, 1865)

jaylenkenon — 2024-01-12 18:29:04 UTC

The 13th Amendment abolished slavery, and involuntary servitude except for community service. This was proposed on January 31st, 1865, and was ratified on December 6th, 1865.

Presidential Reconstruction (1865-1866)

jaylenkenon — 2024-01-17 03:31:01 UTC

Abraham Lincoln decided to be lenient. In this plan, for a state to be readmitted into the Union, it had to follow the 10% Plan. It agreed to the 13th Amendment, which banned slavery. Lincoln was assassinated, so Andrew Johnson took over. He vowed to keep Lincoln's wishes and ratified the 13th Amendment. He opposed the Freedmen's Bureau, resulting in him being impeached.

Congressional Reconstruction (1866-1867)

jaylenkenon — 2024-01-17 03:34:01 UTC

This plan ratified the 13th and 14th Amendments, making African Americans citizens. This plan forced Southern states to ratify the 14th Amendment or they wouldn't be readmitted into the Union. Georgia held a convention, which led to Georgia agreeing to give African Americans rights and a Republican Governor. This also made Atlanta the capital, as the convention was there. Georgia was readmitted to the Union in 1870.

Removal of Black Legislators (1867-1868)

jaylenkenon — 2024-01-17 03:35:43 UTC

In 1867, 32 black legislators were elected to the Georgia General Assembly. The Ku Klux Klan harassed and threatened them, in order for the blacks to leave the Assembly. Most of them were expelled in 1868, and 8 were beaten, imprisoned, or murdered.

Ku Klux Klan (KKK) (1867-1871)

jaylenkenon — 2024-01-17 03:35:59 UTC

The KKK was a terrorist group that terrorized African Americans and Republicans. The goal was to establish white supremacy. Congress passed the Civil Rights Act (1871) which allowed for the police to arrest members of the KKK, and Ulysses S. Grant sent troops to enforce the acts.

Freedmen's Bureau (1865-1866)

jaylenkenon — 2024-01-17 03:40:15 UTC

The Freedmen's Bureau was created to help African Americans adjust to their new lives. It provided food, clothes, and shelter for both whites and blacks. It also built hospitals and schools for freedmen. Because of this, the first public school system was created and HBCUs were introduced.

14th Amendment (Ratified: July 9th, 1868)

jaylenkenon — 2024-01-17 03:44:13 UTC

The 14th Amendment declared all African Americans as citizens. It was passed on June 8th, 1866, and was ratified on July 9th, 1868.

15th Amendment (Ratified: February 3rd, 1870)

jaylenkenon — 2024-01-17 03:46:07 UTC

The 15th Amendment gave every single male citizen in the USA the right to vote. It was passed on February 26th, 1869, and was ratified on February 3rd, 1870.