During what years did the American Civil War take place?

The American Civil War took place from April 12, 1861, to April 9, 1865. This timeline is crucial for understanding the historical context surrounding the conflict, including the causes, major battles, and the social and political ramifications of the war. The correct answer accurately reflects these dates, highlighting the starting point of the war with the attack on Fort Sumter in 1861 and concluding with the surrender of General Robert E. Lee in 1865.

The other choices do not provide the correct time frame or context. For instance, while the 1860-1865 option suggests a close range, it inaccurately includes the year of 1860, which predates the war. The range of 1865-1870 represents a post-war period, focusing on Reconstruction rather than the war itself, and the years 1850-1855 are entirely before the war began, leading to significant historical inaccuracies about the timeline of the Civil War.