Did you know that one time in American history, the country actually split into two fighting sides right here on our own soil? It was a serious time called the American Civil War!
From 1861 to 1865, America fought itself in a huge conflict! The North, called the Union, wanted to keep the country together. The South, called the Confederacy, wanted to break away and form their own nation. This war happened mostly because of big, tough disagreements over the terrible practice of slavery. It was the deadliest war in American history, where more Americans died than in almost any other fight!
Mira says:
"Wow, Finn! It’s hard to imagine neighbors fighting neighbors, but learning about the Civil War shows us how important it is to find peaceful ways to solve big problems!"
What is the Civil War About?
The big fight was between the United States (The Union) and the Confederate States of America (The Confederacy). The Confederacy was made up of eleven Southern states that decided to leave the Union after Abraham Lincoln was elected president because they were worried about the future of slavery there.
The Union, led by President Lincoln, said that the states could *not* legally leave the country. Lincoln was against letting slavery spread into new territories, which made the Southern states nervous about their way of life.
The war officially started when Confederate forces fired on the Union-held Fort Sumter in South Carolina on April 12, 1861. This was the spark that lit the four-year fire!
Mind-Blowing Fact!
Did you know that some brothers actually fought on opposite sides of the Civil War? Generals Thomas Leonidas Crittenden and George Crittenden were brothers who were on the Union and Confederate sides, respectively!
How Many People Got Involved?
The Civil War involved a massive number of people. It wasn't just a few battles; it was a huge national event that touched almost every family!
Over 3 million men bravely fought in the war across the North and South.
(Fought for the North)
(Fought for the South)
(Roughly 752,000+ soldiers died)
How Did The Union Win The War?
Even though the Confederate generals were often very good at fighting, the Union had some big advantages that helped them win in the end. It took four long years of hard fighting for the war to finally end in the Spring of 1865!
The Union had more people, more factories to make weapons and supplies, more railroads to move things around, and more money overall.
Key Moments on the Road to Victory
The Gettysburg Address: In 1863, President Lincoln gave a very famous, short speech at a battlefield cemetery to remind everyone what the war was truly about—freedom and keeping the nation whole.
The Emancipation Proclamation: In 1863, Lincoln declared that enslaved people in the Confederate states were free! This made freedom a huge goal of the war and encouraged many African-American men to join the Union Army.
General Lee's Surrender: The war mostly ended when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865.
💡 Did You Know?
The biggest killer in the Civil War wasn't bullets or cannons—it was disease! About two men died from sickness for every one man who died in battle.
🎯 Quick Quiz!
What year did the American Civil War officially begin?
Who Were Some Important People?
Many heroes stepped up during this challenging time! On the Union side, President Abraham Lincoln worked hard to save the country and end slavery.
Union General Ulysses S. Grant eventually led the whole Union army to victory and later became president himself!
For the Confederacy, General Robert E. Lee was known for his amazing strategies.
- Harriet Tubman: A super brave conductor on the Underground Railroad, helping many enslaved people escape to freedom!
- African-American Soldiers: By the end of the war, 180,000 Black men enlisted in the Union Army, making up about 10% of the total Union force!
- Arlington National Cemetery: General Robert E. Lee’s home was actually taken by the Union and turned into this famous cemetery after the war!
When the war finally ended, the United States was one nation again, and slavery was finally abolished across the entire country. It was a sad, difficult time, but it settled the big questions about the country and finally led to freedom for millions of people.
Questions Kids Ask About American History
The Fight for One Nation
The Civil War might seem heavy, but learning about it helps us understand how America grew stronger by facing big challenges! Now you know the key facts about the Union, the Confederacy, and how one of America's toughest moments led to a big step toward freedom for everyone! Tune in next time for another amazing history adventure!