What conflict sparked the Civil War?

The Civil War was primarily sparked by the conflict over slavery, particularly its expansion into newly acquired territories and states. Tensions escalated between the Northern states, which opposed slavery, and the Southern states, which depended on it for their agricultural economy. The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, who was perceived as anti-slavery, prompted several Southern states to secede from the Union, leading to the outbreak of war in 1861. The attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861 marked the official start of the conflict.