1001 Space Earth Nature History First Civilisations Ancient Egypt Biblical Times Ancient Greece Ancient Rome Chinese, Japanese Civilisations Indian Civilisation African Civilisation The Early Americas The Rise of Islam The Middle Ages The Renaissance Civil War and Revolution The Industrial Revolution Two World Wars 20th-century Achievements Human World Science and Technology

What was the American Civil War? In the middle of the 19th century, tensions grew between the northern and southern states of America. The industrialised North was rich, while the South depended on cotton growing and slavery. Many people in the North were against slavery, and bitter arguments broke out between the two sides. War started in 1861, when the southern states broke away from the rest of the country to form the Confederate States of America. The Confederates were defeated in 1865 by the northern Unionists. A Unionist soldier, carrying the flag of the United States, defends his flag from attack by the southern Confederates.   Previous: Back Book: 1001 Section: History Chapter: Civil War and Revolution