1861

Political Events in 1861

~President Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated on March 4

~ The Civil War began with the Battle of Sumter on April 12

~Lincoln organized an army of 500,000 men to fight
 
~The Confederate Congress voted to set up the capital in Richmond, Virginia in May

~ The First Battle of Bull Run was on July 21

~ West Virginia separates from Virginia

Economic Events in 1861

~ Rifles started being used in the military

~ Minie balls, a bullet with a hollow base, start being used in the military 

~ Ironclads, warships covered in iron, were important and worked better than wooden ships in battle

Social Events in 1861
 

~ Many citizens join the army and live in harsh living conditions
~ Many casualties happen in battles