This book explores the causes of and events leading to the American Civil War including slavery, Abraham Lincoln’s presidential victory, secession, and the Battle of Fort Sumter. Easy-to-read, engaging text discusses major battles and key figures of the war and the technology and weapons used during the war. Through primary source quotes, readers will discover the experiences of soldiers and people on the home front. Readers will learn what impact the Civil War had on US history and the country’s development. Oversized photographs and informative sidebars enhance and support the text. Features include a timeline, facts page, glossary, bibliography, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.