A Nation Divided: Civil War & Reconstruction
Civil War and Reconstruction investigates the causes, events, and outcomes of the American Civil War (1861-1865) and the subsequent Reconstruction period (1865-1877), a transformative era in U.S. history. It explores the conflict over slavery and states’ rights, key battles and leaders, and the efforts to rebuild the nation while addressing the rights of freed African Americans, shaping the country’s future.
Timeline of Civil War & Reconstruction
This section outlines the key phases of the Civil War and Reconstruction. Here’s the breakdown:
- Causes of the Civil War (1850s-1861): Tensions and events leading to the outbreak of war.
- Major Events of the Civil War (1861-1865): Pivotal battles and turning points in the conflict.
- Reconstruction Efforts (1865-1877): Policies and initiatives to rebuild and integrate the South.
- Outcomes and Legacy (Post-1877): Long-term effects of the war and Reconstruction on the nation.
Key Figures and Events
This section highlights the main individuals and pivotal moments that shaped the Civil War and Reconstruction:
- Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865): U.S. President, issued the Emancipation Proclamation, led the Union.
- Emancipation Proclamation (1863): Declared enslaved people in Confederate states free.
- Ulysses S. Grant (1864-1865): Union general, later president during Reconstruction.
- Battle of Gettysburg (1863): Turning point of the war, Union victory halted Confederate advance.
- 13th Amendment (1865): Abolished slavery across the United States.
- Compromise of 1877: Ended Reconstruction, withdrawing federal troops from the South.
Examples of Civil War & Reconstruction
Causes of the Civil War (1850s-1861) Examples
- The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 led to violent clashes over slavery in new territories.
- The Dred Scott decision in 1857 ruled African Americans were not citizens, escalating tensions.
- John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859 aimed to arm a slave rebellion, alarming the South.
Major Events of the Civil War (1861-1865) Examples
- The Battle of Antietam in 1862 was the bloodiest single day, with over 22,000 casualties.
- The Siege of Vicksburg in 1863 gave the Union control of the Mississippi River.
- Sherman’s March to the Sea in 1864 destroyed Southern infrastructure, weakening the Confederacy.
Reconstruction Efforts (1865-1877) Examples
- The Freedmen’s Bureau, established in 1865, aided freed slaves with education and jobs.
- The 14th Amendment in 1868 granted citizenship and equal protection to African Americans.
- Black Codes in the South restricted freedmen’s rights, prompting federal intervention.
Outcomes and Legacy (Post-1877) Examples
- Jim Crow laws emerged, enforcing racial segregation in the South for decades.
- The war preserved the Union and abolished slavery, redefining federal power.
- Reconstruction’s failure left African Americans vulnerable to systemic discrimination.