Officially, the time when the Civil War began was in 1862. The battle was between the northern states known as the Union, and the southern states or Confederacy. The roots of the conflict however, were planted years earlier.

Issues that Led to Conflict

There were several issues that the two sides disagreed upon. These included trade and industry, where the northern states held an advantage. Tax levies were also problematic.

The biggest point of contention was slavery. The Union had declared slavery illegal but it was deemed a necessity in the south. Being dependent on agriculture, the southern states needed a labor force. Although there were other issues, it can be said that when the Civil War began and ended, it was mainly about slavery.

Beginnings of the Conflict

When Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1880, South Carolina departed from the Union. It joined several other states that had seceded. A year after Lincoln’s election, half a dozen southern states left the Union. They joined forces and became known as the Confederate States of America. The root cause of their departure was Lincoln’s insistence that slavery be abolished.

In March 1861 Lincoln declared the secession as illegal. The Confederates responded by shooting at the Union troops in Charleston, South Carolina on April 12, 1862. That was the time when the Civil War began.

Major Battles

General George McClellan headed the Union Army. He was beaten by the Confederate forces led by General Robert Lee. He was replaced by John Pope, who was also defeated by Lee.

The Confederate victories would be short lived however. The Union used a strategy of blocking the south’s resources. As the ports were blocked by the Union, the Confederate were unable to reinforce their troops.

In July 1863 the Union took the offensive under Gen. Ulysses Grant. They attacked the Mississippi River and gained control of the area. This move cut the states from their allies. After cutting the supplies, the Union smashed the Confederate’s communications. General Grant also attacked Northern Virginia and defeated Gen. Lee. While Lee took control of Petersburg, his ally General Sherman captured Atlanta.

When the Civil War began, thousands of people volunteered to join. When it ended on April 9 1865, the Union had won. Over 600,000 soldiers died. Most of those who died did so in the major battles of First Bull Run, Shiloh, the Seven Days and the final Union siege. Eight months later, all the slave states were declared free.

The Aftermath

The 14th Amendment gave blacks citizenship. They were also given the right to vote. However there was still racial discrimination. Groups like the Ku Klux Klan attacked blacks especially in the southern states.

In most parts however the US experienced an economic boom. Decades after the war, settlers and immigrants came to America. Europeans also came in droves and help set up businesses. This led to increased prosperity across the country.

When the Civil War began, it devastated the country. In the end not only was slavery stopped, but economic prosperity followed.

One of the most industrialized and populous states of the U.S., California is popular for its diverse population, inviting climate and attractive geography. People who visit the state can find Baja California at the south, while Oregon is situated to the north. The border in the east is Nevada and in the southeast, travelers can locate Arizona. To learn when California became a state, it is important to explore the important historical events in the area that occurred in the 1800s and the 1900s.

History

When did California become a state? The statehood of this area was proclaimed on the 9th day of September in 1850. Before the 19th century, many countries have established colonies in California including Russia and England. The governance of Spanish in the place started in 1697 and lasted in 1821. During this time, missions led by Spanish Catholic Dominicans, Franciscans as well as Jesuits were established in some parts of California. The missionaries brought European livestock, vegetables and fruits in the area. They also taught Native Americans who resided in the area to cultivate plants.

The independence of Mexico from Spain led to the end of Spanish era in the area. Mexican colonization started in 1821 and the trades as well as ranching in the place were enhanced. Some of the changes that happened in California at this time include the secularization of missions as well as the immigration of non Mexicans in the area.

On the 13th day of May 1846, the United States announced a war with Mexico. Non-Mexican residents in California revolted against Mexican officials and military leaders on the 15th day of June 1846. The revolt continued for a week. With the assistance of the U.S. Army, non-Mexican residents took control over the place.

Other Important Details

From 1847 to 1849, the leaders of the U.S. military controlled the economic, social and political activities in the area. Slavery was outlawed in the area through the leadership of military governor Bennett Riley in September 1849. A government was established in November 1849. After 10 months, the U.S. Congress recognized California as the 31st state of the country.

Migration to the state continued and increased in the 20th century. To improve the economic conditions in the area, the Route 66 and the Lincoln Highway were constructed in the 1900s. In the mid 1900s, California was known to other countries as the international center of music industries, engineering companies as well as entertainment businesses.

The time when the American Revolution began was in the 1760s. As the colonists settled in the New World, several issues came up that led to the rift between the colonists and the British.

British Restraints

One of the most contentious issues were importing and buying of raw products. Under the British rule the colonists had to buy materials from Britain at high prices. On the other hand the British were allowed to get the raw materials from the US at low fees. This policy affected the colonists’ businesses and the resentment intensified.

British Troops in America

During the mid 1700s, Britain and France waged war over various North American territories. The British victory led to the presence of more troops in America. Their presence infuriated the colonists. The bitterness grew when the British Empire had the colonists pay for the war expenses. These were just some of the issues boiling over when the American Revolution began.

The Boston Massacre

A critical point came on March 5 1770. In Boston, a group of people hurled stones and snowballs at some British soldiers. The troops fired back, killing five people. It became known as the Boston Massacre and led to more confrontations between troops and colonists.

The Boston Tea Incident

In 1773 the British Empire issued a decree allowing the East India Company to sell tea in the US. The colonists were enraged because it gave British companies an unfair advantage. The colonists came to the dock dressed like Native Americans. When the vessels came, they stormed it and threw out all the tea into the sea.

In retaliation the Parliament issued the Intolerable Acts Law. It curtailed self governance in Massachusetts and imposed more taxes and penalties. It can be said that when the American Revolution began it was in 1774. That was when colonists called the Sons of Liberty started forming militias and stocking firearms.

Lexington and Concord

On April 18, 1775 troops went to Lexington and Concord to seize the firearms. They were shot by the militants and forced to get out of Boston. The next month in May the 2nd Continental Congress created the Continental Army. They were led by a man named George Washington.

Declaration of Impendence

On July 4, 1776 the United States formally declared its independence from England. The official Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson.

When the American Revolution began Washington and his men faced problems. The British had superior arms and were more numerous. But the General and revolutionaries managed to overcome the odds. They scored several key victories including the Battle of Yorktown. With help from Britain’s enemy France, they kept General Cornwallis from aiding his army.

In 1781 Cornwallis was forced to surrender. Two years later Parliament officially recognized the independence of the United States. After the war, the new country created their Constitution. Unique in the world at the time, it created a government without kings or queens. The power to choose the leader would come from the people.

When the American Revolution began it was against the rule of the Parliament. When it ended, it became the model form of government which others would soon follow.

For many years it was called Bombay. In 1995 the name was changed because Bombay was given by the British. By removing it, the vestiges of colonialism were removed. As the history of Mumbai will show though, there is more to it than just name changes.

Before the British Occupation

The area began as a group of seven islands. They consisted of Mumbadevi, Colaba, Mazgaon, Parel and Worli. According to ancient accounts, the earliest dwellers were the Kolis who lived there c. 3,000 BC. Then came a succession of rulers including the Mouryas. They were followed by the Silaharas and then the Yadavas.

Of the islands, Mahim was the most prominent. It was the place where a lot of the people lived. It was also the site of trade and commerce. By the 13th century, it had become the capital of Raja Bhimedo. Renamed Mahivakti, the history of Mumbai reveals that the Raja oversaw construction of numerous roads, buildings, and fabulous temples.

As a port city it attracted foreign investors and visitors. Europeans and Arabs conducted business in the city, making it very prosperous.

The Muslim and Portuguese Conflict

In the 13th century the islands came under attack from the Muslims. They took over the land. However their rule would not last. They were under constant pressure from the Mughals. When the Portuguese came in 1509, they joined the Muslims in repelling the attackers. But eventually the Portuguese took over the whole area. In 1534 the lands were handed over to Portugal.

Under British Rule

A study of the history of Mumbai will show the lands would remain under the control of Portugal for over 126 years. In 1662 the lands were handed over to the British king Charles II. It was a marriage gift as he was engaged to Princess Catherine of Portugal.

Under British rule, the city became a port. The city prospered and its population grew. From 1661 to 75, the population grew from 10,000 to more than 62,000. By the 1730s a dock had been built and newspapers were in circulation.

The 1850s saw the creation of Bombay University. By the 1900s trains were running all around the city. In 1928, the history of Mumbai will show that the first electric train was introduced in the city.

The City Today

Today it is regarded as the finance capital of India. More than 8% of industry and factory output is produced in the city. Almost half of income tax is obtained here and 60% of customs duty is collected there.

Its attractive business climate has made it the home of various foreign companies. The early years saw it relying on garments and textiles. Nowadays, the IT and engineering sector are growing as well.

It is also the home of TV and major movie houses. The largest publishers are also stationed in the city. Outsourcing companies are also prominent. An indication of its prosperity are the increasing number of billionaires there.

The history of Mumbai shows how far it has gone in both economic and cultural terms. Today it offers some of the best that India has to offer, both in business and leisure.

Considered as the 36th state of the United States, Nevada is known as the seventh largest place in the country in terms of area since it covers the Great Basin at the north and the Mojave Desert at the south. Carson is the capital of the state but many tourists like to visit the other areas in Nevada such as Reno and Las Vegas because these feature attractive tourist spots and inviting entertainment establishments. To know when Nevada became a state, it is important to take a look at the other events that are essential to the history of the place.

History

When did Nevada become a state? Based on the records of the national government, Nevada was officially recognized as a U.S. state on the 31st day of October in 1864. The statehood happened eight days before the reelection of President Abraham Lincoln. After several months, Lincoln announced the appointment of the place’s Territorial Governor, Jame W. Nye. This state attained its present boundaries in the south on the 5th day of May 1866. It occurred when Nevada absorbed some parts of Arizona’s Pah-Ute County. Two years after, a portion of the territory of Utah was transferred to the state, which was essential for the federal government to set the place’s boundary in the east.

Other Important Details

Silver mining is one of the main industries that became important to the economy of Nevada before the 19th century. During the last years of this century, the miners in the state experienced tight competition with the miners in Utah and Colorado. To save the mining industry from collapsing, strikes in Rhyolite as well as Goldfield happened in the 1910s.

During this time, another industry that improved the economy of the state is the gambling industry. Because of the occurrence of the Great Depression and the declines in the performance of the mining industry, the local government legalized gambling in the state. The first company that received a gaming license is Northern Club. The license was released by the government in 1931.

Another important event in the state is the establishment of the Nevada Test Site on the 11th January 1951. The site was founded to examine different nuclear weapons. According to historians, there are numerous nuclear detonated weapons stored in the site. To secure the safety of all the residents in the area, the last atmospheric test performed by the site happened on the 17th day of July 1962 but the underground tests were conducted until the 23rd day of September 1992.

The history of apartheid in South Africa changed the lives of its people and in many ways the world too. It was formally implemented in 1948 but its roots actually go back hundreds of years.

Colonization: the Early Years

As early as the 17th century, the continent was subjected to colonization by Europeans. The Dutch in particular set up several colonies. Aside from the fertile land, it was also filled with diamonds and other precious stones. The discovery of these diamonds led to the Dutch / English war in the 1900s.

There was a ceasefire and a power sharing agreement. It was also at the time that laws concerning the black people were enacted. These laws would be an important part in the history of apartheid.

Implementation

In 1948 the Afrikaner Party gained power. Their goal was to set down the rules that would ensure the separation of whites and blacks.

The enacted laws were created to cover every aspect of the lives of blacks and whites. Among the many laws were banning interracial marriages. There were also jobs that were created only for whites. In the 1950s, a measure called the Population Registration Act was passed. Basically it stated that there were only three races in South Africa: the whites, colored and blacks.

By definition the colored races included Asians, Indians, half blacks etc. Everyone was subjected to these laws. Refusal to recognize it meant severe punishment.

The Homelands Law

This law was an integral part in the history of apartheid in South Africa. This allowed the government could designate certain places or homelands for every black or colored resident. Their rights and privileges would be limited to that area. Before they can enter other parts of South Africa they would need documentation and other travel papers.

Another law was the Public Safety Act. These laws were designed to punish those who tried to go against this law. People could be locked up without trial for months on end. A lot of the black people who fought against these rules were detained for years. They were beaten and tortured. One of these was Nelson Mandela.

End of the Racial Discrimination

The final chapters of the history of apartheid would come in the early 1990s. International communities and nations condemned these laws and there was pressure for the government to repel these laws. As a result, its economic situation worsened. Mass demonstrations and rallies led to its dissolution. By the early 1990s the entire series of laws against blacks and minorities were repelled.

Free elections were held on April 27, 1994. Hundreds of thousands of South Africans participated in the exercise. Although there was violence in weeks prior to the elections, the day itself was quite peaceful. Today that date has become known as Freedom Day and is celebrated by the people.

The history of apartheid in South Africa is something that its people will never forget. It once again shows how through determination, the people can overcome the odds and regain their freedom.

The rich and colorful history of the U.S. is not complete without discussing the contributions of Abraham Lincoln. As the 16th U.S. President, he accomplished a lot of huge things and resolved crucial issues such as the eradication of slavery. He also led the country surpass the American Civil War. He successfully replaced James Buchanan. Soon after his death, Andrew Johnson succeeded him as the 17th president of the country. Here is a quick glance at U.S. history, particularly when Abraham Lincoln became president.

History

When did Abraham Lincoln become president? The people elected him on November 6th in 1860. After this momentous election, he assumed the role as the 16th President of the U.S. when he was inaugurated on March 4, 1861. In the process, he defeated Constitutional Union Party’s John Bell, the Southern Democrat John C. Breckinridge and Democrat Stephen A. Douglas. This impressive feat made him the first ever U.S. President-elect from the state of Illinois. His office lasted until April 15, 1865 right after his brutal assassination.

During his presidency, Lincoln clearly expressed his opposition against slavery in the country. Furthermore, he spent a lot of effort in order to succeed against the American Civil War. He did just that after he defeated Confederate States of America, which closely adhered to secessionism. More than anything else, his biggest accomplishment was the introduction of measures that eventually led to the removal of slavery in the country.

In the 1864 U.S. elections, he was reelected to the office of the president. After this significant event, he went on to promote Ulysses S. Grant as U.S. General-in-Chief. This move happened on March 12, 1864. As U.S. president, he led the country past the Civil War. It ended on April 9, 1865, when the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia commanding leader Robert E. Lee surrendered to him together with numerous other rebels.

Other Important Details and Information

On July 22, 1862, he expressed clearly his opposition against slavery in the country after he discussed the Emancipation Proclamation draft to the members of his cabinet. Aside from ending slavery, he also made some valiant efforts to preserve the Union. On September 22, 1862, he announced the proclamation to the public. It was implemented on January 1, 1863.

According to historians, his efforts to free the slaves helped him won the reelection bid. While watching the play entitled “Our American Cousin” at Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. on April 14, 1865, a Confederate spy named John Wilkes Booth assassinated him. Until now, many people still consider Lincoln as one of the greatest U.S. presidents of all time.

It was in 1783 when the British Empire officially recognized American independence. So that’s the period most consider the time when the Revolutionary War ended. The succeeding years would prove critical in molding the new nation.

The Constitution

The American Constitution was created in 1787. Its emphasis was a strong government. Even during this time there were some who were loyal to the British Empire. Congress was given the power to quell any threats. President Washington meanwhile, provided the leadership needed at the time.

Expanding the Territory

As nationalism increased in America, one of the goals became territorial expansion. President Washington bought Louisiana from Napoleon. After the purchase America grew twice in size. It meant more resources and opportunities for the people. When the Revolutionary War ended, independence was the main goal. Now it was to secure more lands for its increasing population.

The War of 1812

Britain and France were locked in a dispute over territories, including American lands. In 1812, both the British and French captured US shops that were meant for trade. The US became infuriated because they were neutral, yet it was not respected by the warring nations.

Britain and America went to war again. It ended in 1815 with no clear winner, but the Americans felt triumphant. They had few weapons and little training, but once again the British couldn’t put them down. When the Revolutionary War ended, the British were beaten at Yorktown. This time they were routed at the Battle of New Orleans. Their superior navy also suffered major defeats.

American pride swelled even more during the war when Francis Scott Key penned the Star Spangled Banner. It became the national anthem and inspired the Americans.

Creating Industries

Another crucial factor emerged during and after the war. Before, they were heavily dependent on Britain for goods and materials. The conflict made the Americans realize they could make their own industries. It bolstered their independence even more.

Increasing Influence

After the War of 1812, the country acquired more lands. In 1819, the Spaniards were forced to hand over Florida to the US after being defeated in battle. A few years later, President Monroe declared that the United States would not allow European states to take over the Latin American countries.

When the Revolutionary War ended, the Americans realized the value of independence. They didn’t want the other countries to go through what they did.

In the meantime, the US continued to expand. They took over Mississippi, and Alabama. In 1846 they went to war against Mexico. The Mexicans were defeated and lost half their territory. This included California, Texas and New Mexico. As the land grew, so did prosperity.

The Civil War

Prosperity would lead to rivalries and eventually the Civil War. Over 600,000 people perished. But when it ended, slavery was abolished and the country was stronger than ever.

When the Revolutionary War ended, the Patriots were faced with the difficult task of unifying a country. Through sheer will and determination, they were able to succeed. Within a few years, it would emerge as a major player in world affairs.