The Civil War

• The Civil War was a major conflict in the United States that took place from 1861 to 1865.

• It was fought between the Northern states, known as the Union, and the Southern states, known as the Confederacy.

• The primary cause of the war was the issue of slavery, with the Southern states advocating for its preservation while the Northern states sought its abolition.

• The war began with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in South Carolina in April 1861.

• The Union had a significant advantage in terms of population, industry, and resources, but the Confederacy had skilled military leaders and a strong defensive position.

• Major battles of the war included the First Battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Gettysburg, and Vicksburg.

• President Abraham Lincoln played a crucial role in leading the Union during the war, issuing the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, which declared that all slaves in Confederate territory were to be set free.

• The war had a devastating impact on the nation, resulting in the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives and causing widespread destruction.

• The Union ultimately emerged victorious in 1865 after General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House.

• The war led to the abolition of slavery with the passage of the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1865, marking a significant turning point in American history.