Why Was the American Civil War Fought?

Quoted as one of the deadliest wars in American history, the Civil War was fought between 1861 and 1865. With more than 618,222 casualties, the reason for the war was the issue of slavery. There were laws the Southern U.S states were opposing at that time against the Federal government.

Abraham Lincoln’s Presidency

The southern states advocated slavery whereas the Republican government was totally against it. Abraham Lincoln who was the American President at that time totally opposed the idea of slavery. It was initially the seven states, South Carolina, Mississipi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas, that first joined hands to form the Confederate States of America which later expanded to 13 states after multiple secessions. 

Beginning of the Civil War

Jefferson Finis Davis was elected as the President of the Confederacy and the first battle began at Fort Sumter, South Carolina on April 12, 1861, when the Southern troupe led by Pierre G.T. Beauregard bombarded the fort. Two days later, Major Anderson of the American army agreed to leave the place to the Confederates. After subsequent battles in the following years, and hundreds of thousands of casualties from both sides, the North won the Civil War and abolished slavery of black men once and for all.

The 13th Amendment

The 13th Amendment to abolish slavery in America was passed by the Senate on April 8, 1864, and by the House of Representatives on January 31, 1865. It states that “ Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction”. Following this in the year 1868, Amendment 14 was ratified which gave citizenship to the slaves freed after the war. The African-American rights were further strengthened by issuing them the ability to vote.

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