The American Civil War started in the year 1861. It began on April 12, 1861, when Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter, a Union fort located in South Carolina. The war emerged from deep-seated tensions over issues such as slavery, states’ rights, and economic differences between the North and South. The conflict lasted until April 9, 1865, resulting in significant loss of life and lasting impacts on American society. The Civil War ultimately led to the preservation of the Union and the abolition of slavery, reshaping the nation’s future and prompting critical discussions about civil rights and federal authority.