Civil War Origins and Early Developments

The Civil War's roots stemmed from multiple complex factors that divided the nation along geographical and ideological lines. The election of Abraham Lincoln served as a catalyst for Southern secession, despite his initial attempts to preserve the Union through compromise.

Definition: Secession refers to the formal withdrawal of eleven Southern states from the United States, forming the Confederate States of America.

Example: The "Deep South" states seceded immediately after Lincoln's election, while the "Upper South" waited until the conflict at Fort Sumter.

Highlight: The attack on Fort Sumter on April 13, 1861, marked the official beginning of the Civil War.

Quote: "Lincoln tried to avoid war and addressed seceding states directly, promising not to eliminate slavery where it already existed."