The United States on the Eve of Civil War, 1861

Free States, Slave States, and the Fracturing of the Union

Illustration

Simeon Netchev
by
published on 29 April 2025
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The United States on the Eve of Civil War, 1861 Download Full Size Image

This map illustrates the political landscape of the United States in 1861, just as the nation stood on the brink of civil war. It highlights the division between free and slave states, the status of U.S. territories, and the emerging Confederacy, offering a snapshot of a fractured republic at a critical turning point.

As Southern states began to secede following Abraham Lincoln’s election, long-standing tensions over slavery, state sovereignty, and sectional power erupted into crisis. This map captures the Union in its final moments of unity—before Fort Sumter, before battle lines were drawn—revealing how geography, policy, and ideology shaped the coming conflict.

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About the Author

Simeon Netchev
Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history teacher, passionate about the human stories that shape the past. He believes every image should tell a story and invite interaction, while every map should lead on a journey — blending imagination with e

Cite This Work

APA Style

Netchev, S. (2025, April 29). The United States on the Eve of Civil War, 1861. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20390/the-united-states-on-the-eve-of-civil-war-1861/

Chicago Style

Netchev, Simeon. "The United States on the Eve of Civil War, 1861." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified April 29, 2025. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20390/the-united-states-on-the-eve-of-civil-war-1861/.

MLA Style

Netchev, Simeon. "The United States on the Eve of Civil War, 1861." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 29 Apr 2025, https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20390/the-united-states-on-the-eve-of-civil-war-1861/. Web. 29 Apr 2025.

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