The American Civil War (1861–1865)

The American Civil War (1861–1865) was a defining conflict in U.S. history, pitting the industrial North (Union) against the agrarian, slave-holding South (Confederacy). Sparked by disputes over states' rights and slavery, it became the deadliest war on American soil, claiming over 600,000 lives. Key outcomes included the abolition of slavery (Emancipation Proclamation, 13th Amendment), strengthened federal authority, and the modernization of warfare with railroads, telegraphs, and trench warfare. The Union victory preserved the nation but left lasting regional divisions. Its legacy continues to shape American politics, race relations, and constitutional law, marking the transition to a more unified yet complex United States.