The Civil War Era, encompassing the years around 1861 to 1865, was marked by the secession of Southern states and the conflict between the Confederacy and the Union. Driven by deep-seated disputes over slavery, states’ rights, and economic differences, the war led to unprecedented casualties and societal upheaval. Emancipation became a war aim for the Union with Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, and the struggle ultimately redefined the nation’s values and federal structure. Post-war, the Reconstruction period sought to reintegrate Southern states and newly freed slaves into the country, profoundly impacting American history.