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The American Civil War

Even though the Revolutionary War of 1775 to 1783 was vital in making America, the Civil War decided what type of country the US would be. Below, find every critical aspect of the war, from the causes, the outbreak of the war, and how it ended.

What is the Civil War?

Also known as the American Civil War, the Civil War was a four-year war that was fought between southern states that had seceded from the Union to form the Confederate States of America versus the northern states that were loyal to the Union. The war broke out in 1861 and ended in 1865.

Causes of the Civil War

There were so many reasons that led to the Civil War. The most fundamental is the moral issue of slavery. But besides slavery, there were other reasons, including states' rights, the economics of cotton, the territorial expansion of the United States, the American abolitionist movement, and the Dred Scott vs. Sanford case. However, the main trigger was Abraham Lincoln's election.

Outbreak of the War

On April 12, 1861, the Confederate forces fired the first shots of the American Civil War. After long battles, Lincoln was assassinated, and the leader of the Confederate army surrendered.
Later on, slavery was abolished, and the Ceasefire Agreement of the Confederacy by General Robert E. Lee marked the beginning of the end of the war.

Even though the war caused massive loss of lives and destruction of property, it had some positive outcomes, including abolishing slavery.