January 1850 – The Compromise of 1850 admits California to the U.S. as a “free” state and allows newly acquired territories to decide upon slavery for themselves.

March 1852 – Harriet Beecher Stowe published Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a powerful anti-slavery novel.

1855-1861 – A period of repeated outbreaks of violent guerrilla warfare between anti-slavery and pro-slavery forces, known as “Bleeding Kansas.” 

February 1856 – March 1857 – Dred Scott, an enslaved Black man, lost his fight for freedom in the court case known as Dred Scott v. Sandford. 

October 1859 – Abolitionist John Brown leads a small group to attack Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Known as “John Brown’s Raid.”

January 1861 – Seven Southern states secede.

February 1861 – The Confederate States of America is formed and Jefferson Davis is elected president.

April 1861 – Confederate victory at Fort Sumter.

July 1861 – Confederate victory at the Battle of Bull Run.

April 1862 – Union victory at the Battle of Shiloh.

June-July 1862 – Confederate victories of the Seven Days Battle.

September 1862 – Union victory at the Battle of Antietam.

January 1863 – Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation.

May-July 1863 – Union victory at the Battle of Vicksburg.

November 1863 – Lincoln gives the Gettysburg Address.

July 1864 – Atlanta Falls in a Union victory.

November-December 1864 – Union General Sherman leads his March to the Sea and takes over Atlanta.

November 1864 – Abraham Lincoln is re-elected.

April 1865 – Confederate General Lee surrenders at Appomattox Courthouse.

April 1865 – President Lincoln is assassinated.

December 1865 – The 13th Amendment is added to the U.S. Constitution, ending slavery in the United States.

July 1868 – The 14th Amendment is added to the U.S. Constitution, granting citizenship to all people born in the United States, including formerly enslaved persons.

February 1870 – The 15th Amendment is added to the U.S. Constitution, granting Black men the right to vote.

November 1860 – Lincoln is elected the sixteenth U.S. president.