What were the political consequences of the American Civil War?

What were the political consequences of the American Civil War?

The political consequences of the American Civil War were significant. Firstly, the war resulted in the preservation of the United States as a single, unified nation. The secessionist movement led by the Confederate states was defeated, and the Union was restored. Secondly, the war led to the abolition of slavery with the passage of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. This marked a major turning point in American history and brought an end to the institution of slavery. Additionally, the war strengthened the power of the federal government over the states, as it established the principle that the federal government's authority was supreme. The war also led to the expansion of presidential powers, as President Abraham Lincoln took unprecedented actions to preserve the Union. Finally, the war resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans and left a lasting impact on the nation's political landscape, with deep divisions between the North and the South that would take years to heal.