In 1861, significant events unfolded that shaped the course of history. This year marked the beginning of the American Civil War, a conflict between the Northern states (the Union) and the Southern states (the Confederacy) over issues like slavery and states' rights. The war would last until 1865 and lead to profound changes in the United States. Additionally, 1861 saw the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy, which unified various states and territories into a single nation. This unification was a crucial step in the broader movement of Italian unification, known as the Risorgimento, which aimed to consolidate Italy into a cohesive state.