Who were the two opponents in the civil war?

The two primary opponents in the American Civil War were the Union and the Confederacy. The Union, representing the northern states, sought to preserve the United States and abolish slavery, while the Confederacy, formed by 11 southern states, aimed to maintain their independence and uphold the institution of slavery. This conflict lasted from 1861 to 1865 and had profound effects on the nation's social, political, and economic landscape.