The Civil War was a major conflict fought in the United States from 1861 to 1865. It originated from the long-standing divide between the Northern states, which supported the abolition of slavery, and the Southern states, which relied heavily on the institution of slavery. The war began after the Southern states seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America, leading to a violent struggle to determine the future of the country.
The Union, led by President Abraham Lincoln, fought to preserve the United States and end slavery, while the Confederacy, led by President Jefferson Davis, fought for their right to secede and preserve their way of life. The war involved a series of brutal battles, with both sides experiencing significant casualties and devastating loss.
The Union's superior numbers and resources gradually gave them an advantage, but it was a long and difficult war. The war's turning point came in 1863 with the Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg, followed by General Ulysses S. Grant's successful campaign to gain control of the Mississippi River in 1864.
Ultimately, the Union emerged victorious, and slavery was abolished throughout the country with the passage of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. The war had a lasting impact on the nation, leading to the deaths of approximately 620,000 soldiers, and causing widespread social, economic, and political changes in the years that followed.
Summarize the Civil War
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