6. The Civil War (1861-1865)
The Civil War, spanning from 1861 to 1865, was the deadliest conflict in American history, resulting in approximately 750,000 deaths. The war pitted the Northern states against the Southern states over issues including slavery and the preservation of the Union. The outcome was uncertain, with significant battles such as the Battle of Gettysburg and the Battle of Antietam. The war’s conclusion led to the abolition of slavery and the beginning of Reconstruction, fundamentally transforming the nation’s social and political landscape.(home.nps.gov).
