War Between the States

The War Between the States, commonly known as the American Civil War (1861-1865), was a conflict between the Northern states (the Union) and the Southern states (the Confederacy) primarily over issues like slavery, states’ rights, and economic disputes. Tensions escalated after Abraham Lincoln's election in 1860, leading to several Southern states seceding from the Union. The war resulted in significant battles, high casualties, and profound social changes. It ended with the defeat of the Confederacy, the abolition of slavery, and set the stage for a long and challenging Reconstruction period in the United States.