When and where did the Civil War start?

The Civil War began on April 12, 1861, with the bombardment of Fort Sumter in South Carolina. This event marks the official start of the conflict between the Union and the Confederacy. The bombardment occurred after Southern states, dissatisfied with the election of Abraham Lincoln and his stance on slavery, seceded from the Union, forming the Confederate States of America.

Fort Sumter was a key fortification in Charleston Harbor, and its attack represented a pivotal moment when military confrontation became unavoidable after years of escalating tensions. The decisions made by both sides leading up to this conflict culminated in this event, making it historically significant as the war’s ignition point.

Other options misunderstand either the timing or significance of other battles or locations associated with the war. Gettysburg, which is referenced in one of the options, was an important battle later in the war, not the starting point. Similarly, while Virginia saw significant early battles, it was not where the war officially began. Washington, D.C., although politically significant, was not the site of the first military engagement. Recognizing Fort Sumter as the commencement point emphasizes its critical role in American history.