Why is the American Civil War important in terms of world history? Undoubtedly it was a war that greatly shaped America, and its causes and...

Great
question. One way to answer the question is to say what happens in America is important to the
rest of the world. This is because of globalization. In the 19th century this was not as
apparent, but world history would go in this direction. Therefore, the Civil War (1861-1865),
one of the most significant events in American history, would shape the world.

The Civil War determined what kind of nation America would become, as it grappled with
two questions. First, would the United States be dissolvable into sovereign states or would
there be national government over the states. Second, would slavery be prohibited, because all
men were created equal? This last question was particularly important because America was the
largest slave owning country in the world.

The Civil War gave its answers.
The United States would be one, and slavery would be abolished, and in time it was. 

From an international point of view, eventually America would lead the way in these
areas. America would champion a democratic form of government and stand up for equal rights.
America did not do this immediately, but with the passage of time America was seen to champion
these causes. Had America dissolved into states and allowed slavery, the world would be a very
different place.