From 1850 to 1861 the “difference of interests” between the slave-holding South and the free-labor North escalated into tragic consequences: the American Civil War, also called the War Between the States.
The Civil War (1861-65) was a social and military conflict between the United States of America in the North and the Confederate States of American in the South. During this time of war many innovations in warfare occurred, including the development and use of iron-clad ships, ultimately changing naval strategy around the world.
Both sides had advantages and weaknesses. The North had a greater population, more factories, supplies and more money than the South. The South had more experienced military leadership, better trained armies, and the advantage of fighting on familiar territory.
On February 4, 1861, Six other southern states seceded. Along with South Carolina they formed a new republic named the Confederate States of America, with the provisional capital in Montgomery, Alabama.
The North and South quickly raised volunteer and conscription armies that fought mostly in the South over four years.
On April 12, 1861—The Confederate States of America started the Civil War by ordering an attack on Fort Sumter, a United States fort in South Carolina. Lincoln called it insurrection rather than war.
The fighting intensified as 4 more states joined the South. Although many Confederate and Unionist leaders believed the war would be short, it dragged on until 26 May 1865, when the last major Confederate army surrendered. The Confederacy collapsed, slavery was abolished, and 4 million slaves were freed.
Civil War casualties: 620,000 men died—340,000 northerners and 280,000 southerners. The entire population of the United States in 1865 was 35.2 million, which means more than 3 percent of the population was wounded or killed during the war.
American Civil War (1861-65)
