Chapter 4

The American Civil War, 1861~1865.

Text 1

What is a civil war?

We call it civil war when people of the same nation fight against each other. This kind of war is more brutal than a war between different countries. History has many sad stories of how family members or friends ended up on different sides.

Who were fighting the American Civil War?

The Southern States fought against the Northern States.                                                  Eleven states in the South broke out of the union. They called themselves the Confederate States of America. These states had their own Constitution and their own flag.

Why did the South and the North go to war?

The plantation owners in the South had black slaves working for them. They were bought and sold like cattle on the market.

The American Constitution says that “all men are created equal”. To keep slaves, then, was against the law.

When Abraham Lincoln became President in 1860,                                                                 he said he would do away with slavery.

When the Southern States heard this, they left the Union. The Northern States did not accept this, and they ended up fighting a war.

Who won it?

The war ended with a military victory for the Northern States. However, the price was very high.

What was the price?

It was very bloody, more than 600 000 people lost their lives. A great number were wounded and families were destroyed. Friendships broke up and caused much suffering too.

Why did they win?

There were 22 states in the North and only half as many in the South. The North had much more resources. Naturally they had more soldiers. They had more military equipment and other things needed for a long war.