Civil War & Reconstruction

The Civil War erupted in 1861 after decades of tension between the North and South over slavery, states’ rights, and expansion into new territories. The conflict led to immense destruction and the emancipation of millions of enslaved people. After the Union’s victory in 1865, the Reconstruction era sought to reunite the nation and integrate freed African Americans into political and social life. Despite constitutional amendments granting freedom and citizenship, Reconstruction faced fierce resistance in the South, leaving a complex legacy of progress and unresolved struggles for civil rights.