Abraham Lincoln was elected president on November 6, 1860, marking a division in the United States over the issue of slavery, with seven southern states seceding to form the Confederacy. The Civil War erupted primarily over the expansion of slavery, resulting in over 600,000 deaths and significant destruction. Ultimately, the Confederacy collapsed, leading to the abolition of slavery in the southern states.

1. Civil War

2. Abraham Lincoln
November 6, 1860 -
Abraham Lincoln, who
had declared
"Government cannot
endure permanently half
slave, half free..." is
elected president, the
first Republican, receiving
180 of 303 possible
electoral votes and 40
percent of the popular
vote.

3. United States Flag
The admission of Kansas
as our 34th state in
January, 1861 led to a flag
of 34 stars. At this time
was our official flag for
all. Among the 34 states
in January 1861, seven
Southern slave states
individually declared
their secession from the
United States and formed
the Confederate States of
America.

4. A Nation Divided
The Confederate States of America then formed their own
rebel flag. It evolved over time.

5. First national flag: "The Stars
and Bars" (1861–1863)

6. Second national flag: "The
Stainless Banner" (1863–1865)

7. Third national flag: "The
Blood-Stained Banner" (1865)

8. Battle flag

9. The war had its origin in the fractious
issue of slavery, especially the
extension of slavery into the western
territories. After four years of
combat, which left over 600,000
Union and Confederate soldiers dead
and destroyed much of the South's
infrastructure, the Confederacy
collapsed and slavery was abolished
in the South.

10. Abolition of Slavery