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The '''American Civil War''' was one of the most traumatic experiences in the nation's history, in which a northern Union of states defeated a secessionist Confederacy of 11 southern slave states. The Civil War took place from 1861 to 1865, involving the government of the [[United States of America]] and the eleven southern states which seceded from the Union and formed their own government called the [[Confederate States of America]]. In proportion to the total population, the Civil War was the most costly war fought in American history; 650,000 soldiers died in the war, two-thirds from disease and one-third from battle wounds. Many more were wounded but recovered.

The '''American Civil War''', arguably the most traumatic experience in the nation's history, was a major conflict which took place from 1861 to 1865, involving the government of the [[United States of America]] against eleven Southern states which seceded from the Union and formed their own government called the [[Confederate States of America]]. In proportion to the total population, the Civil War was the most costly war ever fought in American history; more than 650,000 soldiers died in the war, two-thirds from disease and one-third from battle wounds, roughly 2% of the country's population at the time<ref>https://blogs.ancestry.com/cm/12-stunning-civil-war-facts/</ref>.

The [[Republican Party]] controlled the North, while the [[Democratic Party]] controlled the South.  In an irony of history, alliances gradually switched afterwards such that the opposite is generally true today.  In addition, abuse of power by the North against the South long after the war was over caused resentment by many southerners which continues through the present.

The result of simmering tensions directly related to the issue of chattel [[slavery]], the country would split as a result of the emergence of the anti-slavery [[Republican Party]] in the North and the election of [[Abraham Lincoln]] to the presidency in 1860; the [[Democratic Party]] itself would split, with a pro-slavery wing controlling the South, and a northern wing largely indifferent to it.  The end of the war would see the South in an economic and physical wreck, with an abuse of power by the North during their occupation of the Southern states, as well as many incidents of violence and intimidation by vengeful white Southerners directed against newly-freed blacks, which continues through to the present day.

For the social, political, economic and diplomatic history see [[American Civil War homefront]].

<small>''For the social, political, economic and diplomatic history see [[American Civil War homefront]].''</small>

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