A short Intro to what comprised the American Civil War

The American Civil War was a major conflict that took place in the United States from 1861 to 1865. The war was fought between the northern states, the Union, and the southern states, the Confederacy.

The causes of the Civil War were complex, but the primary issue was slavery. Southern states relied heavily on slave labor to maintain their economy, while northern states were opposed to slavery on moral grounds. The conflict escalated after the election of Abraham Lincoln, who was against the expansion of slavery into new territories.

Here are some key events and developments that occurred during the American Civil War:

1. The Confederate Attack on Fort Sumter: The Civil War began on April 12, 1861, when Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter, a Union stronghold in South Carolina. The attack marked the beginning of hostilities between the Union and the Confederacy.

2. Battle of Gettysburg: In July 1863, the Union and Confederate armies clashed in the Battle of Gettysburg, which was the largest battle of the Civil War. The Union emerged victorious, but the battle was extremely costly, with over 50,000 casualties on both sides.

3. Emancipation Proclamation: In September 1862, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all slaves in the Confederate states were to be set free. While the proclamation did not immediately free any slaves, it signaled a significant shift in the Union's war goals.

4. Sherman's March to the Sea: In late 1864, Union General William T. Sherman led a campaign through Georgia and the Carolinas, destroying railroads, farms, and other resources used by the Confederacy. This campaign helped break the Confederacy's morale and hastened the end of the war.

5. Surrender at Appomattox Court House: On April 9, 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. The surrender marked the end of the Civil War.

The Civil War was one of the deadliest conflicts in American history, with an estimated 620,000 soldiers losing their lives.

It profoundly impacted the nation, leading to the abolition of slavery and the reunification of the United States. However, the war also left lasting scars on the nation, including ongoing racial tensions and economic disparities between the North and South.

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