Ace the 2026 U.S. History STAAR – Conquer Texas with Knowledge!

The start of the Civil War is recognized as a pivotal event in the history of the United States that signaled the culmination of ongoing disputes over states' rights and the institution of slavery. The war began in April 1861 and was fundamentally rooted in the differing views of the Northern and Southern states regarding the extent of federal authority versus state sovereignty, particularly in relation to the legality of slavery.

The conflict evolved from earlier debates and tensions that had developed over the years, particularly as new territories were added to the Union and the contentious question of whether they would be slave states or free states arose. By the time of the Civil War, these issues had reached a boiling point, leading Southern states to secede from the Union in defense of their rights, including the right to maintain the institution of slavery.

The other events listed, such as the founding of Jamestown, the adoption of the Constitution, and the signing of the Declaration of Independence, all played significant roles in American history. However, they did not directly trigger the specific conflict over states' rights and slavery in the same way that the Civil War did.