Civil War
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Harriet Beecher Stowe: Wrote one of the most influential books in history, Uncle Tom's Cabin. The book was about the pains and struggle of slavery and split the North and South further apart
Charles Sumner He was the leader of Antislavery forces in Massachusetts. He was a Radical Republican who wanted to free the slaves, defeat the confederates, and stay on good terms with Great Britain. His views and opinions angered the South, further splitting the nation.
John Brown: He was a very motivated abolitionist. Waged war against proslavery communities. His attempted raid at Harper's Ferry raised tensions between the North and the South. The Northerners were upset he was being hanged and the Southerners did not believe in his actions.
Stephen Douglas: Also known as the "Little Giant," Stephen Douglas was a Democratic politician that lost to Abraham Lincoln in the 1860 Presidential Election. He designed the Kansas-Nebraska Act which angered the Northerners and pushed the nation closer to war.
Abraham Lincoln: Elected President of the United States in 1860. The Southerners thought that Abraham Lincoln's goal was to free the slaves so they broke away from the Union. He led the Union to victory in the Civil war, and in 1863 signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which intendended to free the slaves
Jefferson Davis: President of the Confederate States of America. He was not a very powerful leader and did not have as much control as Abraham Lincoln. Fought for slavery and secession from the Union and lost in 1865
Ulysses S. Grant: As a general, he led the Union to many major victories, including Fort Donelson and the Battle of Shiloh. Became Lieutenant General and commander of all Union armies in March 1864. Defended all Confederate attacks in the East and accepted Confederate surrender in 1865. Grant and Sherman commanded the Union Army to victory
Robert E. Lee: He taught many of the soldiers in the civil war as a superintendent at West Point. Successfully defended John Brown's raid at Harper's Ferry. Brilliant leader and the General of the Confederate's most successful army, Army of North Virginia. Became General-in-Chief of all confederate forces and was forced to surrender in 1865, effectively ending the war.
William Tecumseh Sherman: One of the most important generals for the Union. He is most known for his scorched earth policy against the Confederates, which was a form of total war. He was the commander of the western theater of war beginning in 1864