Civil War in U.S. history (1861—1865), was between the Northern states (the Union) and the Southern states (the Confederacy) that seceded from the Union.  The name Civil War, although much criticized as inaccurate, but most widely accepted.

 Confederate States of America (1861—1865), this is the government established by the Southern states of the United States after their secession from the Union.   South Carolina was the first Southern state to secede on Dec. 20, 1860 after the election of the Republican President Abraham Lincoln.  This then lead to six more states Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas to leave the Union.

 On Feb. 4, 1861, delegates from these states, except the Texans who were delayed, met at Montgomery, Alabama, and organized a temporary government. During this convention they elected Jefferson Davis of Mississippi and Alexander H. Stephens of Georgia president and vice president respectively on February 9, 1861. The convention also drafted a constitution that was adopted on March 11, 1861 and functioned as a temporary legislature pending regular elections.

 The constitution closely resembled the Constitution of the United States, even repeating much of its language, and it recognized and protected slavery.   There were other, less important, variation from the U.S. Constitution, for example, the president and vice president were to be elected for six years, but the president was not re-eligible.   

 The new government seized or pushed its claims for U.S. property within its domain, especially forts and arsenals, and when the Union declined to surrender Fort Sumter, on April 12, 1861 this formally began the Civil War. Lincoln immediate call for troops, this lead to four more Southern states (Arkansas, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee) to join the Confederacy, which now comprised of 11 states.

 The border slave states of Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri remained in the Union although they contained many southern sympathizers.  In May 1861, it was decided to transfer the capital from Montgomery to Richmond, Va., because of Virginia's prestige.   This move, considering Richmond's proximity to the North, has generally been regarded as a serious mistake.

 The Union victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg in July, 1863, marked a significant turning point in the war. Both sides now had seasoned, equally trained and battle harden soldiers. But the North, with its larger population and rather enormous industry, enjoyed a tremendous material advantage. Both sides also resorted to creating a draft, even though it met some resistance.

 After Sheridan's victory at Five Forks on April 1, 1865, the Petersburg lines were breached and the Confederates evacuated Richmond on April 3, 1865. With their retreat blocked by Sheridan, Lee wisely gives up the futile contest, and surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse on April. 9, 1865. The surviving Confederate armies also yielded when they heard of Lee's surrender, thus ending the conflict that resulted in over 600,000 casualties.