The key consequences of the American Civil War included the abolition of slavery, the preservation of the Union, and significant social and economic changes in both the North and South. The 13th Amendment, ratified in 1865, formally ended slavery, fundamentally altering the social landscape of the United States. The war also led to the rise of federal power, impacting states’ rights and governance. Economically, the North experienced industrial growth, while the South faced destruction and the challenge of rebuilding. The war’s aftermath set the stage for the Reconstruction era, influencing future civil rights movements and discussions around race in America.