Which war was fought to end slavery in the United States?

The Civil War was fought primarily over the issue of slavery in the United States. It took place from 1861 to 1865 and was a conflict between the Northern states (the Union) and the Southern states (the Confederacy). The Southern states seceded from the Union in response to growing opposition to slavery, particularly as more states in the North began to abolish the practice.

The war ultimately led to the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, which declared that all enslaved people in the Confederate states were to be set free. This proclamation shifted the war's focus to not just preserving the Union but also ending slavery. The 13th Amendment, ratified in December 1865 after the war ended, officially abolished slavery in the United States.

When considering the other wars mentioned, The Revolutionary War was fought to gain independence from British rule, the War of 1812 was primarily about maritime issues and national sovereignty, and World War I involved global conflicts and alliances but did not focus on the institution of slavery within the United States. Understanding the specific historical context and outcomes of these conflicts clarifies why the Civil War is identified as the war that aimed to end slavery.