The Civil War

The Civil War (1861-1865)

The American Civil War was a pivotal conflict in United States history, fought between the Northern states (the Union) and Southern states (the Confederacy) that seceded from the Union. It had profound social, economic, and political repercussions.

Causes of the Civil War

• Slavery: Central to the conflict was the issue of slavery, particularly its expansion into newly acquired territories.

• States' Rights: Southern states advocated for states' rights to govern themselves and maintain their slavery laws.

• Economic Differences: The agricultural South relied on slave labor, while the industrial North favored tariffs and free labor.

• Election of Abraham Lincoln (1860): Lincoln's election prompted Southern states to secede, fearing that he would restrict slavery.

Major Events

• Fort Sumter (April 1861): The war began with Confederate forces attacking this Union fort in South Carolina.

• Battle of Gettysburg (July 1863): A major turning point in the war; it marked the furthest advance of Confederate troops into Northern territory.

• Emancipation Proclamation (January 1863): Issued by Lincoln, this executive order declared the freedom of all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory.

• Surrender at Appomattox (April 1865): Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the war.

Aftermath

• Reconstruction Era: The post-war period aimed to rebuild the South and integrate formerly enslaved individuals into society.

• Amendments: The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments abolished slavery, granted citizenship, and secured voting rights for African American men, respectively.

• Long-term Impact: The Civil War reshaped American society and government, laying the foundation for future civil rights movements.