During the American Civil War, 11 Southern states seceded from the Union to form the Confederate States of America, led by Jefferson Davis. The main cause was the disagreement over slavery, but other issues also contributed. The Confederacy lasted until the Union’s victory in 1865. After the war, efforts were made to reunite the country and grant civil rights to Freedmen.
During the American Civil War, several states seceded from the United States of America (the “Union”) to form the Confederate States of America. Also known as the Confederate States or the Confederacy, it was made up of Southern states and territories that had established a de facto government led by Confederate President Jefferson Davis. In all, 11 Southern states seceded from the Union, and the Confederacy lasted for the duration of the Civil War, 1861 to 1865.
While there were many causes for the rift between the Union and the Confederacy, the main cause was the disagreement between the two governments on the issue of slavery. Southern states wanted to continue allowing the practice, while northern states did not. However, other issues, such as states’ rights, taxes and tariffs, have also been major sources of tension. As the relationship between the Northern and Southern states became increasingly strained, seven Southern states elected to secede from the Union. This was before Abraham Lincoln took office, but four others split after he took office.
The Confederate States of America officially folded when the Confederate Army surrendered in April 1865. Up until that point, however, a battle raged between the Union and Confederate armies because the Union – or what was left of the United States of America – did not recognize the Confederacy as an independent nation. President Abraham Lincoln led the cause of the Union and throughout his presidency the two sides struggled – as President Lincoln put it – as a divided nation.
After the Civil War ended and the Confederate States of America were abolished, states that attempted to secede were again represented in Congress in an effort to reunite the country. Freed slaves who fought for the Union, known as Freedmen, were temporarily granted the right to vote, but their struggle for civil rights would continue over the next century.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
