<P> This timeline of events leading up to the American Civil War describes and links to narrative articles and references about many of the events and issues which historians recognize as origins and causes of the Civil War . The pre-Civil War events can be roughly divided into a period encompassing the long term build - up over many decades and a period encompassing the five - month build to war immediately after the election of Abraham Lincoln as President in the Election of 1860 which culminated in the Fall of Fort Sumter ( April 1861 ) . </P>
<P> This timeline of events leading up to the American Civil War describes and links to narrative articles and references about many of the events and issues which historians recognize as origins and causes of the Civil War . The pre-Civil War events can be roughly divided into a period encompassing the long term build - up over many decades and a period encompassing the five - month build to war immediately after the election of Abraham Lincoln as President in the Election of 1860 which culminated in the Fall of Fort Sumter ( April 1861 ) . </P>
what event was the start of the civil war
what event was the start of the civil war
the Fall of Fort Sumter ( April 1861 )
the Fall of Fort Sumter ( April 1861 )