Civil War and Reconstruction in Georgia Timeline by Bransyn Wilson

1850- Compromise of 1850

bransynwilson — 2024-01-08 20:52:22 UTC

California entered as a free state, which means they did not have slavery. This gave them more representation in the Senate. The bill was written by Henry Clay and Stephen Douglas. The three major parts are that California could become a free state. slavery would be banned in Washington D.C., and the Slave States would get a law called the "Fugitive Slave Act".

1857- Dred Scott v. Sandford

bransynwilson — 2024-01-08 20:52:47 UTC

Dred Scott was a slave that was taken by his master to the free states of Illinois and Wisconsin. He then returned to Missouri, assuming 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." Scott then sued for his freedom, and the local court agreed and ruled he was free. Missouri then changed the ruling, reversing the decision, claiming he was not free. Scott appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled on the side of Missouri. Then it was decided that slaves are property, they and freed blacks are not U.S. citizens, and that they have no right to sue.

1860- Election of 1860

bransynwilson — 2024-01-08 20:53:02 UTC

The Election of 1860 was the last event leading to the Civil War. Four candidates ran for president, and Abraham Lincoln won. He was a Republican and wanted to end slavery. His platform, though, was to "preserve the Union". Due to the ongoing slavery issue, the North and South split into two parties. Southern states was fearful of ending slavery, and Lincoln was not on most ballots. Southern states than began to secede from the Union.

Jan. 1 1863- The Emancipation Proclamation

bransynwilson — 2024-01-08 20:53:54 UTC

The Emancipation Proclamation was written on September 22, 1862. It was written by Lincoln after the battle of Antietam. The proclamation said, "All slaves in the rebellious states would be freed on January 1, 1863." Only the slaves in Confederate states would be free. If the South surrendered before January 1st, they would be able to keep their slaves, which did not occur. Lincoln then knew the document would help end slavery at the end of the war, and European powers were kept out of the conflict.

Sept. 1863- Battle of Chickamauga

bransynwilson — 2024-01-08 20:54:27 UTC

This war occurred in Georgia during the Civil War. It lasted from September 18-20 of 1863. Chickamauga is considered the second most bloodiest battle of the Civil War. It is also the largest battle ever to be fought in Georgia. The North's purpose was to capture the city of Chattanooga, and because it was an important railroad center, which would lead to capturing Atlanta. The Union won, and Chattanooga was now controlled by them. It was then the launching point for Sherman's Atlanta Campaign.

Nov. 15-Dec. 21, 1864- Sherman's March to the Sea

bransynwilson — 2024-01-08 20:55:11 UTC

Since the Union captured Atlanta, Sherman spent about two months planning his March to the Sea. He was not satisfied with only destroying Atlanta, so he decided to destroy the rest of Georgia, too. He wanted to punish civilians for helping the Southern cause, so he called the policy Total War. It took away reasons the South has to keep fighting. It ended with capturing Savannah. Sherman's army created a path about 300 miles long, and about 60 miles wide. Soldiers took anything of value, and Sherman burnt buildings, factories, and towns. On December 22, Savannah surrendered and was a present to Lincoln.

1865- 13th Amendment

bransynwilson — 2024-01-08 20:55:43 UTC

"The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime." It simply abolished slavery, or set them free.

1865-66 - Lincoln's Plan

bransynwilson — 2024-01-08 20:55:55 UTC

Abraham Lincoln wanted to bring the U.S. back together. For a state to be let back, they had to pledge a 10% allegiance to the U.S. and agree with the 13th Amendment. He was shot and killed and April 14th, 1865. The Vice President, Andrew Johnson, became the new President. He vowed to continue Lincoln's plan. Georgia passed the amendment in 1865, knowing it was an easy policy. They then rewrote their constitution in 1866.

1865-66- Johnson's Plan

bransynwilson — 2024-01-08 20:56:08 UTC

Radical Republicans favored harsher punishments for the South. They were angry at having high ranking CSA officials in Congress. This caused them to refuse to allow them to take their seats, accusing President Johnson of abusing his power. Johnson wanted the Union back together, he pardoned former Confederates, but did not pardon former officer or rich landowners. Southerners brought impeachment proceedings against Johnson. He just barely escaped removal from the office. 19-18 was the final vote, Johnson had no power.

1865-1870- Freedmen's Bureau

bransynwilson — 2024-01-08 20:56:24 UTC

This helped African-Americans adjust to freedom, also supporting whites. It provided food to whites and blacks. It helped to build freedman's schools and hospitals, supervised labor contracts/legal disputes, making Freedmen's Bureau moderately successful. In summary, it fed, clothed, and offered shelter, along with creating the first public school program for blacks and whites.

1866- Early 1871- Ku Klux Klan

bransynwilson — 2024-01-08 20:56:42 UTC

The KKK had a loosely organized government. It consisted of mostly Confederate veterans. It began as a social club, becoming more violent and political. They used terroristic actions to intimidate freed blacks and white Republicans. They hoped to establish social control over African Americans and their white allies. They accomplished this, and Georgia became ruled by Democrats, many KKK members. White supremacy and racial segregation then became normal. Congress passed The Force Act of 1870 and the Civil Rights Act 1870 (KKK Act). These acts authorized federal authority to fight and arrest members of the Klan.

1865-72- Congressional Plan

bransynwilson — 2024-01-08 20:56:58 UTC

The South began to pass black codes, which banned black males from voting, testifying against whites in court, and serving as juniors in trials. As Congress introduced the 14th Amendment, African-Americans were given the same rights as U.S. citizens. Georgia refused to ratify the amendment, so they were taken under military control. Georgia then held a constitutional convention, then it was said that Milledgeville refused to have black or Republican delegates. The new constitution created black voting rights, allowed new public schools, and moved the capital to Atlanta. Georgia refused to then ratify the 15th. Georgia was finally readmitted in 1870 and has to accept Republican and black legislators.

1868- 14th Amendment

bransynwilson — 2024-01-08 20:57:09 UTC

"The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution was adopted on July 9, 1868, as one of the Reconstruction Amendments. The amendment addresses citizenship rights and equal protection of the laws, and was proposed in response to issues related to former slaves following the American Civil War."

1870- 15th Amendment

bransynwilson — 2024-01-08 20:57:20 UTC

"The 15th Amendment ensures the right to vote to all male citizens of the United States, regardless of color or previous condition of servitude."

1864- Sherman's Atlanta Campaign

bransynwilson — 2024-01-10 20:32:41 UTC

Sherman's goal was to capture Atlanta and take the railroads out. Atlanta held the only industries in the South. It started in the Spring and took almost 4 ^_1/2months. Major battles took place between the two armies. He surrounded the city and let cannons fire. Although, some fires were set by the Confederates to destroy anything useful to the Union. Since the Union won the Battle of Chickamauga, Chattanooga became the starting place for his launch.

1862- Fort Sumter, SC

bransynwilson — 2024-01-11 20:35:47 UTC

On April 12, 1861, Confederates fired the first shots of the Civil War. The attack lasted 34 hours. The Union then surrendered, so the Confederates now have won a small battle. Lincoln was furious, and called for 75,000 volunteers to sign up to fight, and asked them to enlist for 90 days. Four more states then seceded from the U.S.