Arguably, the most important event in American History was the Civil War.  After a little more than six decades in existence, the still young country could no longer sort out its differences through dialogue and compromise.

     Beginning with the Secession Movement in 1860, one by one states from the south began leaving the union.  Eventually, seven rebelling states (later joined by four more) formed the Confederate States of America, whose goal was the creation of an independent republic.

     After the bloodiest four years in the nation's history, the rebellion was crushed and the union was preserved.  It marked the end of slavery in the nation and fast forwarded American industrial capacity.  The event transformed the United States technologically, politically and socially.