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The American Civil War was a war in the [[United States of America]] between the states of the North and the states of the South.  The main issue dividing the northern and southern parts of the nation was effectivly the issue of states' rights versus the supremecy of the national governement. The South had the upper hand at the beginning of the war with superior generals and a more disciplined cavalry, but the industrial and population advatages of the north ensured that the North came out the winner. After several pivotal victories in northern Virginia, Confederate general Robert E. Lee invaded the north, fought to a draw at Antietam, and was forced to withdraw back into the south.  Because of this battle Lincoln felt secure to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, a war measure to discredit the south.  Slavery would later be ended at the conclusion of the war with the fourteenth amendment.   

The American Civil War was a war in the [[United States of America]] between the states of the North and the states of the South.  The main issue dividing the northern and southern parts of the nation was the issue of slavery. Elements in the North felt that the power of the "slaveocracy" in the South had to be defanged and the territories made the preserve of free white labor. Many in the South believed that the victory of the Republican party in the 1860 presidential election was the beginning of an inexorable march towards isolation within a largely free nation and gradual emancipation. The South had the upper hand at the beginning of the war with superior generals, but the industrial and population advantages of the north ensured that the North came out the winner. The North was also aided by the defection of thousands of slaves away from their masters as soon as the opportunity presented itself. Many of these slaves would later be mustered into the army at a key moment of manpower shortage. After several pivotal victories in northern Virginia, Confederate general Robert E. Lee invaded the north, fought to a draw at Antietam, and was forced to withdraw back into the south.  Because of this battle Lincoln felt secure to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, a war measure to discredit the south.  Slavery would later be ended at the conclusion of the war with the thirteenth amendment.   

The North (led by [[Lincoln]]) defeated the South (led by [[Jefferson Davis]]) in April, 1865 when [[Lee]] surrendered to [[Grant]] at [[Appottamatox Court House]].

The North (led by [[Lincoln]]) defeated the South (led by [[Jefferson Davis]]) in April, 1865 when [[Lee]] surrendered to [[Grant]] at [[Appottamatox Court House]].