Who Started the war?

4th of March 1861

Lincoln took the oath and became President. Less than a month passed before the creation of a Confederacy from the part of the South.

February 1861,

The Confederate States of America, composed of Southern states was created. Jefferson Davis, a Mississippi cotton planter as their leader. There was still a strong opposition (especially from businessmen) to preserve the Union.

In the winter 1860-1861

Lots of schemes for re(conciliation) were proposed but they failed. In his inaugural address a s President, Lincoln appealed the South to stay in the Union. He said he would not interfere with slavery but would not allow them to break the United States by seceding. The South did not answer.

The Confederate States unhappy about the removing of slavery were the first to open fire on April 12 1861 at Fort Sumter(South Carolina). That marked the beginning of the Civil War.