The American Civil War took place from 1861 to 1865. The main cause of the war was slavery, which had divided the country for many years. The war was fought between the North, called the Union, and the South, called the Confederacy.
Why Did They Fight?
The North and South had different economies and different views about slavery. The North had many factories, and workers were paid wages. The South relied heavily on farming. Large plantations relied on enslaved labor to grow cotton and other crops. As the country grew, people argued about whether slavery would be allowed in new states and territories. These arguments increased the conflict between the North and South.
What Started the War?
Abraham Lincoln was elected president in 1860, and he opposed the spread of slavery into new territories. After his election, Southern states started to secede from the Union. Secede means to withdraw. Eleven Southern states formed the Confederate States of America because they wanted to protect slavery. In April 1861, Confederate forces struck Fort Sumter. This marked the start of the Civil War.
What Happened During the War?
The war lasted four years, and many battles were fought. Major battles included Bull Run, Antietam, Gettysburg, and Vicksburg. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers died. Many more were injured. The Union blocked Southern ports with ships. This made it hard for the Confederacy to get supplies. Robert E. Lee became the main commander of the Confederate army.
The Changing Goals
At first, President Lincoln’s main goal was to keep the country together. As the war continued, ending slavery also became a goal. In 1863, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared enslaved people free in areas of the Confederacy still fighting the Union. It did not end slavery everywhere. The Thirteenth Amendment ended slavery throughout the United States in 1865.
How Did the War End?
By 1865, the Confederacy was close to defeat. In April, Robert E. Lee gave up his army to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. Soon after, other Confederate armies surrendered as well. After the war, the United States entered a period called Reconstruction. The country started to rebuild. It faced key questions about the rights of formerly enslaved people.
Conclusion
The Civil War kept the United States together and ended slavery throughout the country. However, the end of slavery did not bring equal rights, and the nation continued to struggle over freedom and equality.
