The country had become divided over the issue of slavery: the Northern states (known as "abolitionists" and/or "federalists") wanted to end black slavery and keep the country together, while the Southern states (known as the "secessionists") wanted to keep the institution of slavery alive to ensure low labor and production costs for cotton, tobacco and other crops.

They were prepared to secede, or divorce themselves, politically from the rest of the country. The Union Army fought on behalf of the North (the Yankees), while the Confederate Army fought for the South (the Rebels). The North eventually won, the country was reunited and the black slaves in the South were eventually freed.