On 12 April 1861, the first shots of the American Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter in what would become the bloodiest war in American history. In just four years more than 600,000 men were killed. In the Story of the American Civil War we explore the origins of the conflict, including the divisive issue of slavery, Northern attempts to preserve the Union and Southern demands for autonomy. In-depth features on the conflict’s major battles reveal the true horror of the war, while battle maps help bring the likes of Antietam and Gettysburg to life. In addition, we discover the key players of the American Civil War, the role played by African-Americans and the harsh realities of life in the prisoner-of-war camps. While the war may have ended in 1865 after four years of bloody fighting, the United States remained bitterly divided for many years. We explore the Reconstruction era and attempts to heal wounds, the impact of the conflict on American history and how the repercussions are still being felt today.