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The Civil War was one of the most difficult times in American history. From 1861 to 1865, America was at war with itself. The war stemmed from differences in beliefs between anti-slavery individuals in the northern states, and pro-slavery individuals in the south. Slavery was very important to the southern economy, and many southerners were afraid that Abraham Lincoln would try to to abolish slavery when he became president. Such individuals did not think the government had the right to tell the states what to do. People in the north thought that slavery was immoral, and were afraid that if slavery was allowed in America's new territories, it would never be defeated.
In 1860 and 1861, eleven southern states decided to secede (break away) from the United States and form their own government. It was called the Confederate States of America. Richmond, Virginia was made their capital. Congress declared war on April 14, 1861 for the purposes of preserving the Union. The first shots of the Civil War were fired two days earlier at Fort Sumter, South Carolina.
The war that ensued was long and deadly. Over 500,000 soldiers were killed, by far, more than any other war in American history. Both the north and the south won many major victories. Many battles proved inconclusive. The northern side, however, had more people and supplies. The turning point in the war occurred between July 1-3 of 1863 at the Battle of Gettysburg. It was the only time the south waged a major battle on northern soil (not including battles fought in border states). The Union army was victorious and drove the Confederates back to Virginia.
In 1864, the Confederate Army was further weakened. Union forces had cut the Confederacy in two separate parts by taking over the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans. Robert E. Lee's army was also under constant attack from Union general Ulysses S. Grant throughout Virginia. Finally, after Union forces invaded the Confederate capital of Richmond, the Confederate States of America were forced to surrender on April 9, 1865 at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia. The war was over and the Union was preserved.