For four years Americans fought against each other on the battlefield. This war would become the bloodiest war in American history. Over the course of four years, over 620,000 soldiers died in the conflict. This war became one of the most traumatic events in American history. From the beginning of colonization until the 1860s, the population of this country slowly divided. From 1850 to 1861, it was evident that the union was separating into the North and South and battle would soon follow. With this division, peace could not continue in the country, as the country was full of problems that affected ordinary Americans. With the events leading up to the war, the South felt it had every reason to secede from the United States of America. The divided economies of the North and South, as well as conflicting cultures, are what caused the Civil War. The Civil War lasted four years, from 1861 to 1865. It was between the Northern and Southern states of the United States of America. Although they were united by the government, their views were totally different. Since the dawn of America, the thirteen states have grown differently. Each state had its own rights and beliefs. Slavery in the South was a way of life. Slavery did not only affect enslaved people, but the use of slavery was a source of income and played a huge role in the Southern economy. The Southern economy was primarily based on slavery and the production of crops grown by slaves. Without the use of slaves many believe the economy would not last and would collapse. Cotton had become the South's most profitable crop. In 1860, around the time the South seceded. The South produced approximately 4 million bales of......half paper......it was a threat to the institution of slavery and would abolish it entirely. With Lincoln's election, the South felt it had no choice but to secede from the Union. His election was the spark that not only ignited the flame of secessionist behavior but also plunged our nation into one of the greatest American crises in history. The question of the economy and independence of the South, high tariffs and the election of Lincoln are four of the main issues. reasons for the South's secession from the United States. The South wanted and fought for its independence from the North just as the colonies had done with Great Britain a hundred years ago. They believed that secession was the only way to succeed and grow as a slave nation. These situations and conflicts are what led to the bloodiest war in American history. Works Cited America a Narritive History