The Civil War was a pivotal conflict in United States history, fought from 1861 to 1865 between the Northern states (the Union) and the Southern states (the Confederacy). The war was primarily about states' rights and slavery, and it resulted in the abolition of slavery and significant changes to American society.
Key events include the Battle of Gettysburg, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the surrender at Appomattox Court House. The Civil War remains one of the most studied and impactful periods in American history.