The Civil War yielded many changes. However it is the collaboration of events before, during, and after that makes up our nation's history. This so called "War between the States" took place between 1861 and 1865. Over those four years over 500,000 lives were lost and hundreds of thousands were crippled.
             After Abraham Lincoln's election in 1860 southerner's knew their way of life was in danger. Talk of secession spread rapidly in South Carolina. Robert Barnwell Rhett and the "fire-eaters" held a convention on December 20th, 1860 to decide on secession. They voted unanimously to dissolve the union. By February a new nation was proclaimed, the Confederate States of America. Jefferson Davis was named as president.
             Senator John J. Crittendon of Kentucky submitted a proposal of an amendment that would protect slavery from federal interference in any state where it existed. It was approved by congress. On March 4,1861 Lincoln stated in his inaugural address that slavery would be permitted in states where it existed, but soil in the territories would remain free. He also said that secession was illegal and acts supporting it constituted insurrection. Plain and simple the choice for the South was to return to the Union, or face war. On April 14th, 1861 the Confederate's demanded the surrender of Fort Sumter. When they refused, the Confederate forces opened fire forcing Major Robert Anderson to comply. A compromise was not possible by this time, however war was.
             Lincoln responded with a call for 75,000 state militiamen into federal service. The Northern States were thoroughly roused. While the Northerners were getting prepared, the Upper South had an important decision to make. Virginia, home to many of the nation's best military leaders, had to choose the Union or the Confederacy. By a vote of 88-55 Virginia favored the secession.
             By now the war was in full swing. ...