The Civil War Changes the Nation

The civil war led to political, economic, technological and social changes in the United States. The war itself ravaged the human population taking the lives of 360,000 Union soldiers and 260,000 Confederate soldiers. During the civil war, the federal government passed laws which gave them more control over citizens. While the Northern states flourished, the Southern states became a rural wasteland for poor industry and farming.

The war led to technological advances in warfare. New weapons included the rifle and the minie ball, which is a soft lead bullet. Grenades and landmines were enhanced to change modern warfare forever. Wooden ships became obsolete to the newer ironclad ships which were more durable and lethal.

As a result of the war, the government passes the Thirteenth Amendment which bans slavery. Due to the radical social changes within America at this time, certain individuals did not approve of Lincoln's controversial views. John Wilkes Booth, an actor and active support of the South, did not approve of these changes.

On April 14, 1865 Lincoln and his wife attended a British Comedy at Ford's Theater. During the third act of the play, John Wilkes Booth snuck behind and fired a shot into the back of Lincoln's head.

With the war over, slavery and secession were abolished. However, the country still faces potential and current problems.

- Felix and Kevin