American Civil War

The American Civil War was fought in the United States from 1861 to 1865. Seven Southern states seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America; four more joined after fighting began. The conflict grew from a political crisis over slavery and its expansion into new territories, along with disputes about federal authority.

Lincoln opposed expanding slavery into western territories, while many Southern leaders defended slavery and secession. Fighting began in April 1861 when Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina. The Union fought to preserve the country, and ending slavery became a war aim. It became the deadliest conflict in American history.

Major battles included Antietam, Gettysburg, and Vicksburg, as well as campaigns at Atlanta and Richmond. In January 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation declared enslaved people in areas still in rebellion to be free and allowed Black men to serve in the Union army. About 180,000 Black soldiers eventually served.

The North had advantages in population, industry, railways, and naval power. In 1865, Confederate forces surrendered; in April, Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House. The Thirteenth Amendment, ratified in December 1865, abolished slavery throughout the country. The war preserved the Union and brought lasting political, social, and economic changes.