The American Civil War (1861-1865) was not fought over slavery, not at first, although slavery was at the heart of things. It was fought over the right states had to govern themselves. The South wanted strong state governments. The North wanted a strong central government.
The Civil War 1861-1865 for Kids
States in the South did not want Congress telling them what to do. They wanted individual states to have the right to decide major issues for themselves. States in the North wanted Congress to decide major issues, and they wanted individual states to obey any laws created by Congress, whether they agreed with them or not.
Reconstruction for Kids (1865-1877)
What happened after the Civil War was over?
President Lincoln Assassinated
Demobilization - Sending soldiers home
Formation of the Freedmen's Bureau, a temporary federal agency
Reconstruction Act of 1867 - Military Rule in the South
Scalawags (White Southern Republicans) and Carpetbaggers (White Northern Republicans)
14th Amendment (right of African Americans to citizenship), repeal of Black Codes
Ulysses S. Grant (Republican) Takes Over as President
15th Amendment (right of African American males to vote)
1877, End of Reconstruction with election of President Rutherford Hayes, a former Union general
Educational Games and Activities for Kids about Reconstruction
For Teachers
Explore American History
For Kids and Teachers
Creating a New Nation
- New World Explorers
- Native Americans in Olden Times
- The 13 Colonies
- Road to Revolution
- The American Revolution
Creating a New Government
Western Expansion
- Jefferson and theNew Republic
- Louisiana Purchase
- Lewis & Clark
- War of 1812
- Monroe Doctrine
- Manifest Destiny
- The Oregon Trail
- Wagon Trains
- Pioneer Life & Frontier Life
- Trail of Tears
- The Alamo 1836, Texas Revolution
- Mexican - American War 1846-1848
- Gold Rush
Brink of the Storm and the Civil War
- Events Leading up to the American Civil War
- The Industrial Revolution
- American Civil War - 1861-1865
- People of the Civil War - Lincoln, Davis, Grant, Lee, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Dred Scott and more
- 13th Amendment ending slavery forever
- Reconstruction, Carpetbaggers & Scalawags
- 14th & 15th Amendments
Growth in the West
The Nation Grows
World War I, The Great War
The Roaring 20s
The Great Depression
World War II
Slavery in America
Segregation for Kids - Civil Rights
US Holidays
QUIZZES - Interactive, with Answers for Student Review
For Teachers
Free for Classroom Use - American History Powerpoints and Presentations
American History Lesson Plans, Units, Activities, Projects for Teachers