The American Civil War, or War between the States, started in 1861 shortly after the election of Republican President Abraham Lincoln. For some time, the delicate political balance reached between the Northern, rapidly industrializing states and the Southern, plantation-based states had been a source of great tension, as the Northern population grew much faster. The election of an openly anti-slavery president led 11 Southern States to declare secession and create a new country called the Confederated States of America. Things escalated toward open warfare when the US President refused to recognize it.
The conflict lasted four years and was very deadly: over 700,000 soldiers from both sides were killed, along with many civilians. While the victory of the Union resulted in the liberation of millions of slaves of African origin, the scars that were left by that conflict were very deep and can be felt to this day.
More of the Confederated States of America
The American Civil War
