American Civil War

What was the American Civil War

The American Civil War was a war fought between the northern and southern states of the United States of America.

What were the causes of the Civil War

The southern states of USA believed that the states should have the power to make important decisions about themselves. They thought that the federal government should not have too much power.

The northern states, on the other hand, wanted the federal government to be stronger. Another major problem was the issue of slavery. Slavery was legal in southern states where slaves were used on the fields.

In the northern states, slavery was illegal. The southern states feared that the northern states may try to outlaw slavery in the south as well and they couldn’t let that happen.

The Presidency of Abraham Lincoln

The southern states didn’t like his election and considered this the final blow to their rights. So they decided to leave USA and form a sort of government of their own.

This led to the establishment of Confederacy, which was the united government of the southern states after they decided to leave USA.

The Union and the Confederacy

The Confederacy comprised of the southern states which had broken away from the federation. It included 11 southern states including Alabama, Florida, Texas, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana and Tennessee.

The rest of the 25 northern states grouped together and were called the Union. These states remained attached to the government of Abraham Lincoln and followed his leadership. The northern states had more industry, more population and more resources compared to the southern states. This proved critical in helping the north win the Civil War.

The War

The Civil War began on April 12, 1861. It continued for four years and ended on April 9, 1865. During this war, a very large number of people died. The total number of soldiers who died during this war was nearly 600,000.

The war also adversely affected the economy of the American states, especially the states in the south. At the end of the war, the Confederacy was defeated and the Union was victorious. As a result, all states remained a part of the USA. Slavery was abolished all over USA as a result of this war.

• The issue of Slavery was the cause of the American Civil War.
• The American Civil War was fought between Northern (Anti Slavery) and Southern States (Pro Slavery).
• 25 Northern States Banded together and were Known as the ‘Union’.
• 11 southern states Joined Forces and became known as the ‘Confederacy’.
• Abraham Lincoln was the leader of the Northern States. Abraham Lincoln was anti slavery and the 16th President of the USA.
• The American Civil war began on April 12, 1861.
• The American Civil war lasted for four years and 600,00 Soldiers lost their lives.
• The American Civil War ended on April 9 1865.
• The Union (North) eventually defeated the confederacy (South).
• Victory by the Northern states (Union Forces) would be the beginning of the eventual ending of slavery in the USA.

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