A civil war is a war between different groups of people who belong to the same country.  The American Civil War was fought between the North (Union states) and the South (Confederate states). It lasted from 1861-1865, triggered by the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860.  Lincoln wanted to end slavery and keep the Union together.  

The conflict between the North (the Yankees) and the South (the Rebels) started because of their different ways of living.  The North wanted the South to give up their farms, build factories, and abolish slavery.  Congress treated the slaves as personal property and would not take away rights of ownership.

Thus, America began the conflict that would take the lives of more than 620,000 of its citizens and injure more than 375,000.  Most of the battles took place in the South and the recovery from the destruction took many years.  

The map below shows the division of the country as the war began. 

Use this map to complete the Color the Conflict activity your teacher gives you. 

The Confederate States

Border slave states that remained with the Union:

Delaware      Kentucky      Maryland      Missouri

(Western counties of Virginia refused to secede from the Union)

Free States