* Whether slavery would be allowed to continue in the United States. The Southern states were heavily dependent on slavery, while the Northern states were increasingly opposed to it. The war ended with the abolition of slavery, freeing millions of African Americans.
* What role the federal government would play in the lives of Americans. The Southern states favored a limited role for the federal government, while the Northern states favored a more active role. The war ended with the expansion of the federal government's power, including the creation of the Freedmen's Bureau to help former slaves.
* What the rights of African Americans would be. The Southern states denied African Americans basic rights, while the Northern states were increasingly supportive of civil rights. The war ended with the passage of the 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution, granting African Americans citizenship and the right to vote.