Causes of the Civil War Timeline

The Civil War began in 1861, but tensions between the North and South started much earlier. This stand-alone timeline provides a handy reference for key events leading up to the beginning of the Civil War in 1861. This one-page timeline can be used to prompt a class discussion on the causes of the Civil War, or students can use it as a jumping off point for further research. The information on this timeline is also a useful resource for helping students review the Missouri Compromise, the Dred Scott Decision, John Brown’s raid, and other major events that led to the outbreak of war.