Civil War (American Civil War)

The American Civil War (1861-1865) was a conflict between the Northern states (the Union) and the Southern states (the Confederacy) that seceded from the Union. Primarily driven by disagreements over slavery and states' rights, the war resulted in significant loss of life and profound changes in the nation. Key issues included the future of slavery in the United States and the preservation of the Union. The war ended with the defeat of the Confederacy, leading to the abolition of slavery and the Reconstruction era, which aimed to integrate formerly enslaved people and rebuild the South.