In April 1861, the Confederates fired a shot that changed history forever. A bloody war began that resulted in the deaths of over 618,000 men over the course of four years. More lives were lost than in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Spanish-American War, the Korean War, and World Wars I and II combined.[1] Even worse, this war was a war of Americans against Americans, brother against brother, and father against son. The Civil War had different causes for the North and the South. For the North, the war was justified by the Unity of America and the emancipation of slavery. For the South, it was a war to protect their way of life and their property. Consequently, due to individual ideals and perceptions, the bloodiest war in American history was a civil war that would reshape all of American history. Both the North and the South felt categorically justified in going to war. Compromise was not an option. There would be no solution until blood was shed.[1] The Union Army led an invasion, an invasion on American soil. Subsequently, the march between Americans, in the bloodiest war, pitted brother against brother, father against son. The Union Army had to have a justifiable cause.[1] In July 1861, Congress passed the Crittenden-Johnson Resolutions, declaring support for a war "to defend and maintain the supremacy of the Constitution, and to preserve intact the Union with all the dignity, equality, and rights of the several states." . However, seceding from America meant going directly against the Constitution, challenging the fundamental principles on which our nation was founded. After secession, the States of America would no longer be united.[1] The Union saw the Confederacy as a direct attack on America... middle of paper... owed more... to the inevitably opposing but equally selfish interests - or perceived interests - of the North and the South than to differences in their cultures and institutions". This war, in the eyes of those fighting, was fully justified and was fought with passion for the banners that flew. Blood was inevitable; it was only a matter of time before self-interest overcame love of friends and country.[1]Works Cited1. Schweikart,. and Larry and Allen, Michael. A history of the United States patriots from Columbus's great discovery to the war on terrorism. New York; Penguin Group 2004. 1-872. Pessen, Edoardo. “How different were the antebellum North and South?” The American Historical Review 85.5 (1980): The University of Chicago Press on behalf of the American Historical Association.1119-1149. November 26 11.