Did you know the United States once fought a war against itself?
Imagine brothers, neighbors—even classmates—on opposite sides of a battlefield. That’s what happened during the American Civil War, one of the most important events in U.S. history.
Fought between the Northern Union states and the Southern Confederate states, the war lasted four years (from 1861 to 1865) and shaped the future of the nation. Over 600,000 people lost their lives, but the outcome changed everything—especially for those who had been enslaved.
In this article, you’ll discover everything a 5th grader needs to know about the Civil War—from why it started and who fought in it, to the brave leaders, epic battles, and how life was during and after the war. Let’s travel back in time and explore the war that changed America forever!
Civil War Facts for 5th Graders
What is the Civil War in simple terms for 5th graders?
The Civil War is considered a major war in United States history. The war was fought between the Southern Confederate states and the Northern Union States. The war lasted for four years from 1861 to 1865. It is estimated that 620,000 people died due to the war.
The war was fought for many reasons, primarily to abolish slavery, to increase state rights, and keep the country united.
Why Did the Civil War Happen? – Causes of the Civil War for Kids
Southern states relied on slavery for providing a large labour force needed to pick and process the Southern cash crops like cotton and tobacco. Abraham Lincoln was a member of the anti-slavery Republican party, an abolitionist, which was perceived as a threat by Southern states. While the Northern states believed that if slavery continued in the South, it would give Southern states inordinate power.
After Lincoln won the election as president of the United States, South Carolina broke away from the Union. Ten other states soon followed and created the Confederate states. Soon after, Lincoln declared war against the Confederate states to preserve the Union, which led to the American Civil War.
Who Fought in the Civil War? – Union vs Confederate States
During the war, the U.S. consisted of 34 states that were divided into the Union and the Confederate States. The Union, to the North, were industrialised states, with a higher population and strong resources. The Confederates, to the South, were agricultural states, with a lower population and weak resources.
The Union consisted of 23 states plus other territories, with major ones being:
- New York
- Kansas
- Ohio
- Illinois
- Pennsylvania
The Confederacy consisted of 11 states, with major ones being:
- South Carolina
- North Carolina
- Florida
- Texas
- Alabama
Important People in the Civil War – Civil War Leaders for Kids
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Abraham Lincoln – President of the Union
Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States and the Union. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves in America. He was assassinated in 1865 by John Wilkes Booth while attending the play “Our American Cousin”.
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Ulysses S. Grant – Lieutenant General of the Union Army
Grant acted as the lieutenant general of the Union Army and became the 18th president of the United States. He supported the Fifteenth Amendment that gave formerly enslaved people the right to vote. During the war, Ulysses S. Grant accepted the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox Court House.
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Jefferson Davis – President of Confederate states
Jefferson served as the United States Secretary of War from 1853-1857. During the war, he was the president of the Confederate states. He was an advocate for southern states’ rights to slavery. Under his orders, Fort Sumter was seized from the Union. He was captured by the Union Army in 1865 and imprisoned in Fort Monroe for 2 years.
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Robert Edward Lee – General of the Confederate Army
Robert served as an overall commander of the Confederate Army. Before the war, he was a U.S army officer for 30 years. His surrender at the Appomattox Court House brought an end to the 4-year civil war.
Major Battles of the Civil War – Famous Civil War Battles for Students
It is estimated that 10,000 battles were fought during war, some of the major battles were:
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Battle of Bull Run – July, 1861
This battle is considered the first major battle that occurred during the Civil War. It was fought in Prince William County, Virginia. The battle was won by the Confederate Army due to the Union Army’s slow positioning and the Confederate Army’s reinforcements arriving in time. 460 soldiers were lost from the Union Army and 1,582 from the Confederate Army.
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Battle of Fort Sumter – April, 1861
The Confederates Army attacked the Union Army’s fort in Charleston, South Carolina. The Union Army was surrounded and unable to defend itself, causing them to surrender. It is recorded that there were no casualties due to the battle.
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Battle of Antietam (also called Battle of Sharpsburg) – September, 1862
87,000 Union troops marched against 45,000 Confederate troops in Sharpsburg, Maryland. The battle was won by the Union Army as they outnumbered the Confederate Army. The battle resulted in 23,000 casualties.
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Battle of Gettysburg – July, 1863
The Battle of Gettysburg is considered a critical point for the war. The 3-day battle was fought in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and resulted as a victory for the Union Army. This battle is considered to be one of the deadliest battles during the Civil War; it resulted in 50,000 casualties.
Life During the Civil War – Daily Life in the Civil War for Kids
Instituted draft required men above the age of 18 to join war efforts, on both sides. The wealthy from the North were able to avoid the draft through paying a hefty $300 fee. In the South people with more than 20 slaves were pardoned from the war under the “Twenty Negro Law”. The Poor on the other hand lost all of the men in their families to the war.
Children and women became providers during the war.They were forced to work in factories, producing commodities for the army. Despite their childhood being taken from them, children on both sides of the war spent the little free time they had reading and writing letters to their loved ones. The Civil War caused constant fear on both sides and the living conditions deteriorated the longer the war went on.
What Happened After the Civil War? – Reconstruction for Kids
After the surrender of the confederacy, the 16th President of the United States was assassinated by John Wilkes on 14th April, 1865. The Vice President Andrew Johnson took the presidency soon after.
Reconstruction debate began long before the war ended but the process officially began in 1865 and lasted till 1877. Andrew Johnson pardoned majority of the South except confederate leaders and wealthy planters during this time.
During the Reconstruction Phase three important amendments were established:
- The 13th Amendment (1865) abolished slavery.
- The 14th Amendment (1868) granted citizenship and protection to all.
- The 15th Amendment (1870) granted voting rights for everyone despite their race.
What Happened After the Civil War? – Reconstruction for Kids
Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865. Vice President Andrew Johnson became president.
Reconstruction lasted from 1865 to 1877. The government tried to rebuild the South and help freed slaves.
Three important amendments were added:
- 13th Amendment (1865): Ended slavery.
- 14th Amendment (1868): Gave citizenship and equal protection.
- 15th Amendment (1870): Gave voting rights to all men, no matter their race.
Facts About the Civil War for Kids
- Lincoln’s Gettysburg speech was only 269 words long.
- 66% of the deaths that occurred, happened due to the spread of disease.
- Did you know? The oldest soldier to join the war was an 80-year-old man, Curtis King.
- Did you know? The youngest soldier to join the war was a 10-year-old child, John Clem.
- American essayist and poet Walt Whitman acted as a nurse during the war.
Conclusion – Why Should We Learn About the Civil War?
The Civil War is marked as one of the deadliest conflicts of U.S. history, 620,000 lives were lost due to the war. While the war put an end to slavery and preserved the Union, it revealed the harsh differences between economic classes and left deep-rooted scars. The war fundamentally changed the United States, but in the end the country stood united.
Learning about the Civil War helps us understand the struggles and choices that shaped our country. Teaching us about the importance of peace and unity.
FAQs – Questions Kids Might Ask
What were 3 main causes of the Civil War?
Slavery, states’ rights, and keeping the Union together.
Who won the Civil War?
The Union (North) won the war.
Who was the president during the Civil War?
Abraham Lincoln.
How long did the Civil War last?
It lasted 4 years, from 1861 to 1865.
Was Abraham Lincoln a hero?
Yes. He helped end slavery and kept the country united.
