UPSC History Preparation: American Civil War

The American Civil War was one of the most disastrous events in the history of the United States of America. The American Civil War was fought from 1861 to 1865 as a result of growing tensions between the North and the South. The issues of slavery and rights of the states came to the forefront with the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. The eleven states in the South seceded and formed the Confederate States of America over a period of several months.

Initially, the Southern troops won a number of battles but things were to undergo a drastic change after their loss at Vicksburg and Gettysburg. Post the failure met by the Southern troops, the Northern troops conquered the South and hence forced them to surrender in 1865. The American Civil War was also one of earliest industrial wars as the impact of the Industrial Revolution was strongly evident in the war owing to the employment of the telegraph, railroads, steamships etc. The casualties were high both on the military side and the civilian side. About 750, 000 soldiers were killed in the American Civil War and the number of civilians who lost their lives in unknown. Other causes which led to the secession include sectionalism and cotton trade, territorial crisis and national elections. Watch the video below to learn more about the American Civil War. 

In the video titled “Relive the past: World History 4.1 American Civil War - Prepare for UPSC IAS” by Dr. Roman Saini, the key points concerning the American Civil War have been discussed in detail. The video deals with a brief overview of the American Civil War, reasons behind the anti-slavery movement of the Northern States, important events leading to the American Civil War, Backdoor policy of the capitalist states, Retaliation from the South, Role of the Republican Party and the Role of Abraham Lincoln.

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