🇺🇸 American Civil War (1861–1865)

The American Civil War was fought between the Northern states (Union) and Southern states (Confederacy) from 1861 to 1865.

Main issue: Slavery and States’ Rights

• Slavery conflict (main cause)
• North = industry, South = agriculture
• States wanted independence from federal control
• Election of Abraham Lincoln (1860)
• Southern states formed Confederacy

• Fort Sumter – war begins (1861)
• Antietam – bloodiest battle
• Gettysburg – turning point
• Sherman’s March – destruction of South
• Appomattox – war ends (1865)

• North = industrial economy, South = plantation economy
• War = moral vs economic conflict
• First modern war (railways, telegraph, rifles)
• Geography helped North win
• South collapsed economically during war

• Slavery abolished (13th Amendment)
• USA remained united
• Federal government became stronger
• 600,000+ deaths
• Reconstruction period began

• 13th – abolished slavery
• 14th – citizenship rights
• 15th – voting rights to Black men

The American Civil War transformed the USA from a divided nation into a strong unified country. It ended slavery and strengthened federal authority.