During the 1860's, Americans were at a disagreement over slavery. Some states wanted to continue with slavery. These states used slaves for hard labor or cooking and cleaning. Some states wanted to abolish, or get rid of slavery entirely. Because of this disagreement, two separate groups were formed.

The eleven states who wished to continue slavery were known as the Confederates. Those who wished to end slavery were known as the Union. The Confederates wished to secede or break away from the Union. The Union wished for all states to be united without slavery. Abraham Lincoln agreed with the states in the Union that slavery was a terrible thing and that it denied African Americans of human rights.

On April 12, 1861, the Confederate states, who were led by General P. T. Beauregard, attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina. The leader of the Union states, Major Robert Anderson, and his army did their best to defend the Fort. However, after two days, Anderson and his army surrendered in fear of running out of food and supplies. The Battle of Fort Sumter ended on April 14, 1861, but the Civil War was just beginning.