What was the primary conflict in the U.S. Civil War?

The primary conflict in the U.S. Civil War was characterized by the struggle between the Union, which represented the Northern states, and the Confederacy, formed by the Southern states that seceded from the Union. This conflict was fundamentally rooted in issues such as states' rights, economic differences, and, most significantly, the institution of slavery. The Confederacy sought to maintain slavery and uphold its way of life, while the Union aimed to preserve the nation and ultimately bring an end to slavery.

While the division between the North and South is also an important aspect of the Civil War, the distinction between the Union and the Confederacy clarifies the political and military aspects of the conflict specifically. The terms Union and Confederacy denote the opposing sides that fought against each other, highlighting the organized and formal nature of the conflict as opposed to a broader regional rivalry. Thus, the Union vs. Confederacy accurately encapsulates the essence of the Civil War.