The main conflict between the North and South in the United States is known as the Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865. This conflict primarily stemmed from deep-seated economic, social, and political issues, with slavery being the central point of contention. The Southern states, which relied heavily on an agricultural economy supported by slave labor, sought to maintain their way of life and asserted states' rights. In contrast, the Northern states, driven by industrialization and an abolitionist movement, opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories. The war resulted in significant loss of life, destruction, and ultimately the preservation of the Union.