The Civil War in the United States began in 1861, after decades of simmering tensions between northern and southern states over slavery, states’ rights and westward expansion.

What big events happened in 1861?

March 4, 1861- Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated as the sixteenth president of the United States in Washington, DC. March 11, 1861- Confederate delegates in Montgomery approve the Constitution of the Confederate States of America. April 12, 1861- Confederate forces fire upon Fort Sumter, South Carolina.

What was going on in the world in 1861 1865?

American Civil War, also called War Between the States, four-year war (1861–65) between the United States and 11 Southern states that seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America.

What was going on in the world in 1860s?





On 18 October 1860, the first Convention of Peking formally ended the Second Opium War. The American Civil War lasted from 1861 to 1865. The Paraguayan War (1864–1870) starts in South America, with the invasion of Paraguay by the Triple Alliance (Empire of Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay).

What was going on in America during the 1860s?

Civil War (1860-1865) Conflict over issues of how much control the federal government should have over the states, industrialization, trade, and especially slavery had increased tension between Northern and Southern states.

What caused the war in 1861?

The Civil War started because of uncompromising differences between the free and slave states over the power of the national government to prohibit slavery in the territories that had not yet become states.

Why was 1861 a turning point in American history?



The Civil War was a critical turning point in United States history. Few events so profoundly affected Americans, changed their lives, and changed the country. In 1861, the North and South went to war over the future of liberty, freedom and representative government.

What are the 3 main causes of the Civil War?

The reasons for the Civil War were disagreements over slavery, states vs. federal rights, the election of Abraham Lincoln, and the economy. After the inauguration of Lincoln in 1861, the South seceded and the Civil War officially started with the Battle at Fort Sumter.



What were the 4 main causes of the Civil War?

For nearly a century, the people and politicians of the Northern and Southern states had been clashing over the issues that finally led to war: economic interests, cultural values, the power of the federal government to control the states, and, most importantly, slavery in American society.

What happened in the summer of 1861?

The Battle of Bull Run was the first major battle of the American Civil War, and it occurred, in the summer of 1861, when many people believed the war would probably only consist of one big decisive battle.

What was the crisis of the 1860s?

secession, in U.S. history, the withdrawal of 11 slave states (states in which slaveholding was legal) from the Union during 1860–61 following the election of Abraham Lincoln as president. Secession precipitated the American Civil War.

What did people do in the 1860s for fun?



Music was a popular diversion, as well—from informal singing around the fire to staged balls. Gambling prevailed in every conceivable form—from horse races to louse races. Games like cards, chess, checkers, and dominoes could be played for money or simply for fun, were quiet, and easily carried in a knapsack.

What was happening socially in the 1860s?

The American Civil War



The end of the war resulted in the abolition of slavery, reconstruction in the American south, and the establishment of American citizenship for African Americans, and the right to vote for African American males. The social fabric of the country was forever altered by this event from the 1860s.

What major Battle was fought in 1861?

First Battle of Bull Run

First Battle of Bull Run



Known in the north as the Battle of Bull Run and in the South as the Battle of Manassas, this battle, fought on July 21 1861 in Virginia was the first major battle of the Civil War.

What are 3 major events of the Civil War?



However, these staggering numbers still offer profound insight into the immense tragedy experienced by the American people throughout the Civil War.

  • April 12, 1861: Battle of Fort Sumter.
  • June 30, 1861: Battle of Philippi.
  • July 21, 1861: First Battle of Bull Run/First Battle of Manassas.

What happened on April 13th 1861?

On April 12, 1861, the first salvos of the American Civil War were fired with the bombardment of Fort Sumter, situated in Charleston harbor, South Carolina, by Confederate guns. Unable to reply effectively the commanding officer, Major Anderson, surrendered on April 13.

What happened April 17th 1861?

By the spring of 1861, several states had already seceded from the Union. The state of Virginia decided to call a special convention of delegates to consider secession and on April 17, 1861, following the attack on Fort Sumter, Virginia passed its “Ordinance of Secession”.

What happened on May 23rd 1861?

On May 23, 1861, little more than a month into the Civil War, three young black men rowed across the James River in Virginia and claimed asylum in a Union-held citadel.

What happened on May 20th 1861?

It was finally adopted on May 20, 1861, during the state’s second vote to seceded from the Union. The first official state flag of North Carolina was adopted when the state voted to secede from the Union. “There had actually been a referendum in North Carolina in Feb. 1861, and North Carolina voted against secession.