Election of Abraham Lincoln as president

February 4

April 4

April 12

April 15


May 24


July 22


August 6


August 30


November

Seven seceded southern states form the Confederate States of America

Inauguration of Lincoln

Attack on Fort Sumter begins the Civil War

Lincoln calls on states to provide 75,000 troops to suppress the rebellion
In next month, four more southern states secede

Gen. Benjamin F. Butler declares fugitive slaves at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, “Contraband of war” who will not be returned to their owners

Congress adopts Crittenden Resolution, declaring that the war is not being fought to alter the institutions of the South

First Confiscation Act provides for emancipation of slaves employed as laborers by the Confederate army

General John C. Frémont emancipates slaves of disloyal owners in Missouri.
Lincoln modifies the order to conform to Confiscation Act

Lincoln requires Secretary of War Simon Cameron to delete from draft of his annual report a recommendation that slaves be emancipated and enrolled in Union army

Congress forbids return of fugitive slaves to owners

Congress, at request of Lincoln, promises financial aid to compensate owners in any state that initiates gradual emancipation

Congress abolishes slavery in District of Columbia, with compensation to loyal owners. It also appropriates funds for “colonization” of freed slaves outside the United States

General David Hunter declares slaves free within his military department (South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida). Lincoln nullifies the order ten days later

Congress prohibits slavery in territories of the United States

Lincoln meets with Congressmen from border states (Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri – slave states still in the Union), urging them to support gradual, compensated emancipation, accompanied by colonization

Second Confiscation Act frees slaves of disloyal owners

Lincoln announces to Cabinet his intention to issue a proclamation of emancipation. At suggestion of Secretary of State Seward, he postpones it until a Union military victory

Lincoln meets with five black leaders of Washington, D. C., urging them to support the idea of colonization

In reply to New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley’s editorial calling for emancipation, Lincoln insists his main aim is to save the Union

Union general Benjamin F. Butler begins recruiting black solders in New Orleans

War Department authorizes recruitment of black soldiers into Union army in South Carolina


Five days after battle of Antietam, Lincoln issues Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. It warns South that if the rebellion has not ended by January 1, he will emancipate the slaves. It also promises aid to states that adopt plans for gradual, compensated emancipation, and refers to colonization of freed people outside the country.

Lincoln signs contract for settlement of 5,000 freed slaves on island off Haiti

Lincoln issues Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves in areas under Confederate control. It exempts Tennessee and parts of Louisiana and Virginia and does not apply to the border states. It also authorizes the enlistment of black soldiers.

Lincoln insists black soldiers captured by the Confederate army be treated as prisoners of war, not escaped slaves as Confederate president Jefferson Davis has threatened

Lincoln issues Proclamation of Amnesty of Reconstruction, offering a pardon and restoration of property except for slaves to Confederates who take an oath of allegiance to the Union

New constitution of Louisiana abolishes slavery

New constitution of Maryland abolishes slavery

Lincoln reelected as president

Missouri constitutional convention abolishes slavery

General William T. Sherman issues Special Field Order 15, setting aside land in coastal South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida for settlement by black families in forty-acre plots

Tennessee abolishes slavery by constitutional amendment

Congress orders emancipation of wives and children of black soldiers

Confederate Congress authorizes enlistment of black soldiers

In the last speech before his death, Lincoln favors limited black suffrage in the South

Assassination of Lincoln

Ratification of Thirteenth Amendment irrevocably abolishes slavery throughout the United States