The American Civil War concluded in 1865, marking a pivotal moment in the United States' history. The war, fought from 1861 to 1865 between the Northern states (Union) and the Southern secessionist states (Confederacy), resulted in the preservation of the Union and the abolition of slavery. The defeat of the Confederacy led to significant social, political, and economic changes, particularly through the Reconstruction era aimed at integrating formerly enslaved individuals into American society. The war’s resolution ultimately shaped the nation’s trajectory, influencing civil rights movements and ongoing struggles over race relations in the U.S.