The American Civil War, a devastating conflict between the North and South, lasted from 1861 to 1865. Economic and social differences, the struggle between states' rights versus federal rights, and the divisive issue of slavery fueled the fire. Key figures like President Abraham Lincoln and Confederate General Robert E. Lee played major roles. Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, declaring slaves in Confederate territories to be free, marked a turning point. Major battles such as Gettysburg caused massive casualties and turned the tide in favor of the Union. The war culminated in the Fall of Richmond, the Confederate capital, in 1865, marking a Union victory. The aftermath, the Reconstruction Era, transformed America, with new amendments abolishing slavery and granting former slaves citizenship rights. Despite the end of the war, its impact is still felt today, leaving an indelible mark on American history.