In the 1800’s after gaining their independence, the United States grew in many ways. It grew in size and expanded west claiming new states. It grew economically with the northern half embracing industry and commerce while the southern half remained focused on agriculture. The United States also grew divided, the northern states had abolished slavery while the southern states had invested heavily in it, spending lots of money on slaves they were reluctant to make the change. Tensions between the two sides grew over slavery and it’s role in the future of the United States. Abraham Lincoln was elected in 1860 and promised to stop the spread of slavery in new states. Several states then seceded from the United States and formed the Confederate states of America. A civil war broke out between the two sides and eventually slavery was ended and the United States became United again.