The Civil War was a conflict in the United States from 1861 to 1865, primarily between the Northern states, known as the Union, and the Southern states, known as the Confederacy. The war was largely fought over issues such as slavery, states' rights, and economic differences. The war began after several Southern states seceded from the Union following the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. Major battles included Gettysburg and Antietam, and the war ended with the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House in 1865, leading to the preservation of the Union and the abolition of slavery.