Civil War and Reconstruction 1859-1875

United States of America &gt; United States History &gt; Civil War and Reconstruction 1859-1875  <br

The Civil War Era

 * 1860: The States begin to secede from the Union with South Carolina being the first. 1860 - Pony Express begins.
 * 1861: More states followed South Carolina’s lead and seceded from the Union. They were: Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina and Tennessee . Kansas is the 34th state admitted to the Union after seven years of battling between residents over whether to be admitted as a free or slave state. The Confederate States of America is formed.

The Apache declare war on the United States. Jefferson Davis is sworn in as the 1st President of the Confederate States of America with Alexander Stevens is sworn in as the 1st Vice President. The Nevada Territory is organized. The Colorado and Dakota Territories are organized. Abraham Lincoln is sworn in as the 16th President of the United States with Hannibal Hamlin is sworn in as the Vice President. Confederate forces begin an assault on Fort Sumter. After 34 hours of bombardment Fort Sumter surrenders. Union blockade of Confederate ports is initiated (1st part of the Anaconda Plan). Fortyeight counties in western Virginia secede to rejoin the Union.


 * 1861 to 1865: For more information about The Civil War and its battles see the The Civil War Page along with individual State Military Pages.


 * 1861: President Abraham Lincoln declares a state of insurrection in the southern states. Richmond, Virginia becomes the official capital city of the Confederate States.  The transcontinental telegraph is completed.


 * 1862: The Homestead Act encourages naturalization by granting citizens title to 160 acres. The Emancipation Proclamation is issued. The Pacific Railway Act of 1862; officially entitled "An ACT to aid in the construction of a railroad and telegraph line from the Missouri river to the Pacific ocean, and to secure to the government the use of the same for postal, military, and other purposes."  175 million acres of public land was dedicated to the railroads. Farmers and ranchers purchased land close to rail stations at premium prices from railroad companies
 * 1862 Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act creation of agriculture colleges- also known as the "Land Grant Act" becomes law.  It donates public lands to states. Many state universities can trace their roots to this progressive legislation.


 * 1863: The New Mexico and Arizona Territories are organized. West Virginia was part of Virginia until statehood and is the 35th state admitted to the Union by acceptance of the federal government.  Homestead Act becomes law, allowing settlers to claim land (160 acres) after they have lived on it for five years


 * 1864: The Idaho Territory and Montana Territories are organized. Nevada, having been known prior to state hood as a wilderness is the 36th state admitted to the Union at the urging of President Abraham Lincoln. Sherman's March to the Sea  left dead  livestock, consumed supplies, torn up railroad track and destroyed civilian infrastructure in it’s wake.


 * 1865: Abraham Lincoln is sworn in as President for a 2nd term with Andrew Johnson is sworn in as the Vice President of the United States. The Confederate States of America surrender at Appomattox Courthouse, ending the Civil War. The 13th Amendment is passed, abolishing slavery. Abraham Lincoln is assassinated.  Andrew Johnson is sworn in as the 17th President of the United States.  The Freedmen's Bureau was instigated giving aid to former slaves. Freeman bank records from 1865 to 1874 are available to be searched at Freedman Bank Records These records are a great source to quickly identify a family group along with their residence. The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned lands, also known as the Freedmen’s  Bureau, was responsible for the management and supervision of matters relating to refugees, freedmen, property and land seized or abandoned in the former Confederate States. The purpose of the Bureau being to help freedmen become more self-sufficient.


 * 1866: Tennessee is the 1st state to be readmitted to the Union.


 * 1867: Although vetoed by President Andrew Johnson, Nebraska became the 37th state admitted to the Union. The United States purchases the Alaska Territory from Russia for $7.2 million. The U.S. annexes the Midway Islands. The Grange was organized to help farmers.


 * 1868: States began to get readmitted to the Union, they were: Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Wyoming Territory is organized. President Andrew Johnson issues an unconditional pardon to all those who participated in the southern rebellion.
 * 1869: Ulysses Grant is sworn in as the 18th President of the United States with Schuyler Colfax as Vice President. The Transcontinental Railroad is completed at Promontory Point, Utah.

Texas, Georgia. Colorado is the 38th state admitted to the Union. After three tries Colorado was made a state on August 1, 1876.
 * 1870: Carpetbaggersfrom the North unprincipled Scalawags  from the South converged on the helpless Southern states. States continue to be readmitted to the Union, they are: Virginia, Mississippi,


 * 1872: Chicago fire kills 300 and leaves 90,000 people homeless


 * 1873: Ulysses Grant is sworn in as President for a 2nd term with Henry Wilson as Vice President. The Panic of 1873 causes bank foreclosures, business failures, and job loss.


 * 1875: First limitations on immigration. Residency permits required of Asians.

Websites

 * American Origins 1600 to 1900 presentation by the Smithsonian.
 * The Migration to North America
 * The Underground Railroad presentation by the National Geographic Online.