Overview of the Civil War
The Civil War was probably one of the bloodiest battles in history. Since slavery was a major part of the southerners' economy, they were upset with Lincoln's election because they feared he would abolish slavery. Even though Lincoln promised he would not abolish slavery where it existed, the southerrn states seceded. Lincoln was desperate to keep the union together. In 1861 the Civil War broke out at Fort Sumter, a federal outpost in South Carolina. This was only the beginning of a four year war. The main battles of the Civil War consisted of the Battle of Bull Run, the Battle of Antietam, the Battle of Shiloh, the Siege of Vicksburg, and the Battle of Gettysburg. All of these battles resulted in large numbers of casualties and missing soldiers. After four long years of violence and fighting, the south surrendered and the Union was once again together.