apr 12, 1861 - Civil War (1861-1865)

Description:

Fought mostly over state rights (involving slavery)
Started when Lincoln was elected as president and South Carolina seceded from the Union
The North took an offensive approach through the Anaconda Plan (cutting off ports in the South), splitting the Confederacy down the Mississippi River, and marching through the states to capture the capital
The South took a defensive approach, which required less soldiers and military buildup
During the war many women became the head of the household after their husbands died/left, and more women took up work in nursing or volunteers
After the war the political ideology changed from protecting states' rights to the federal government supremacy and the expansion of democracy
American democracy appeared strong and powerful to countries in Europe after it survived the war

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