US National Archives
Our Documents: Telegram Announcing the Surrender of Fort Sumter (1861)
Offers an image of the original telegram from Major Anderson announcing his surrender of Fort Sumter. Discusses this event and the historical events surrounding it.
Henry J. Sage
Sage American History: The Civil War Part I: The Opening Years
Article on the Civil War from the very first battles in 1861 when the war began to the end of the second year in 1862.
Other
Civil War Diplomacy: Cotton Diplomacy
Read about the Confederacy's attempt to manipulate the supply of cotton to England in an attempt to gain England's support of its war effort. Written by Kinley Brauer, noted historian.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Ap Us History: Prelude to War
AP U.S. History learning module covers Manifest Destiny, conflict over slavery and events leading to the Civil War.
US Department of State
Office of the Historian: The Trent Affair, 1861
Find out about the diplomatic crisis between the United States and Great Britain at the beginning of the Civil War, why it was important to the North and South, and how it was resolved.
OpenStax
Open Stax: The Origins and Outbreak of the Civil War
After reading this section, students will be able to explain the major events that occurred during the Secession Crisis and describe the creation and founding principles of the Confederate States of America.
Other
Civil War in South Carolina: Fort Sumter, April 12 14, 1861
This is a description of the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter. Included are a map and General Beauregard's report on the attack.
Civil War Home
Home of the American Civil War: The War Begins
Provides a detailed description of the attack on Fort Sumter during the Civil War from Confederate Military History, Vol. 5, Chapter I, a series published in 1899.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Secession and Civil War
Part of a unit on the Civil War and Reconstruction, this section provides an overview of the formation of the Confederacy and subsequent secession of states in the South.
Other
Crisis at Fort Sumter
Detailed background information is provided to assist users in solving the dilemmas facing President Lincoln in the events surrounding the fall of Fort Sumter.
Other
Tulane University: Crisis at Fort Sumter: Robert Anderson
Brief biography of Robert Anderson, commander of Fort Sumter when it was captured in April, 1861.
Library of Congress
Loc: Documentary Heritage of the Civil War
Part of a larger effort to document the Civil War through primary resources consisting of personal narratives, Part I covers the "election of Abraham Lincoln, the secession crisis, the outbreak of hostilities, mobilizing for war, and...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Sacred Beliefs
At the beginning of the Civil War people in both the North and the South held firm beliefs about the reasons for the war. Some wanted to preserve the Union, others to end slavery. In the South the question was about states' rights and...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Strengths and Weaknesses: North vs. South
A very good compilation of the advantages and disadvantages of both the North and South at the beginning of the Civil War. The South had the trained officers, but the North had the factories to make rifles. Read about the major...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Fort Sumter
A fascinating look at the "chess game" that involved Fort Sumter, a United States military installation in Charleston Harbor off the coast of South Carolina. Read about the moves by various leaders to keep or take the fort without...
Siteseen
Siteseen: Civil Conflict: The Crittenden Compromise of 1860
Web page on the Crittenden Compromise of 1860 which assured the continuation of slavery where it already existed in an attempt to appease Southerners and halt secession of Southern states from the Union.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Civil Conflict: First State to Secede
Web page on President James Buchanan and the first state to secede leading to Civil War. Site includes textual information, video [3:28], and links to related information.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Civil Conflict: Secession
Site with outline information on the beginning stages of the Civil War when southern states seceded and rebelled against the Union.
Library of Congress
Loc: Today in History: November 8: The Trent Affair
Paintings and a brief explanation of the parties involved in the Trent Affair and its importance in diplomacy at the beginning of the Civil War. From the Library of Congress.
Other
American Revolution: Those Glorious "Principles of 1776": Confederate Perspective
This site explains the Southern perspective on the voluntary union of states and the justification for the South seceding from the Union.
The History Cat
The History Cat: Countdown to Civil War
Describes the events leading up to the start of the American Civil War. Looks at clashes between pro- and anti-slavery groups, the Missouri Compromise of 1820, the fight over California, the Compromise of 1850, the Fugitive Slave Act,...