The American Civil War ended in 1865. The conflict started in April 1861 and lasted until April 1865, ultimately concluding with the surrender of the Confederate Army under General Robert E. Lee to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. The war resulted in profound changes in the United States, including the abolition of slavery, the strengthening of the federal government, and significant social and economic changes. The war's conclusion marked a critical moment in the nation's history, paving the way for Reconstruction and the civil rights movements that followed.