American Civil War

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

Other Names

In the South, it is known as the War of Northern Aggression, although the war began when Fort Sumter, a Northern outpost, was attached by Southern secessionists. It is also known as "The War between the States", but most accurately by the title, "War of Southern Secession."