The Civil War was the deadliest conflict in American history, with the nation nearly torn apart over slavery and the very meaning of the Union.

In this episode of The U.S. History Curriculum Companion, we explore slavery as the cause of the Civil War and how it led to the secession of Southern states after Abraham Lincoln's election in 1860. We’ll review some major battles, important figures like Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee, the impact of the Emancipation Proclamation, and how the war transformed American society. From the first shots at Fort Sumter to the surrender at Appomattox, this episode provides an overview of the war that changed the United States forever.

This episode is designed to accompany our Civil War unit in our complete American History curriculum, which includes resources and lessons designed for middle school and high school classrooms.

Students of History provides engaging lessons and resources for every unit in American History, along with World History, Civics & Government, and World Geography. They're perfect for middle school and high school social studies classrooms. You can learn more at Students of History.