The American Civil War began in 1861, specifically on April 12, when Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter in South Carolina. The war was primarily fought between the Northern states (the Union) and the Southern states that seceded from the Union to form the Confederacy, largely over issues such as slavery, states’ rights, and economic differences. The conflict lasted until 1865 and resulted in significant loss of life and destruction. The war ultimately led to the abolition of slavery in the United States, marked by the passage of the 13th Amendment, and had lasting effects on the nation’s social, political, and economic landscape.