A survey of selected names for the conflict in America between 1861 and 1865 on Newspapers.com reveals nomenclature changes over time. During the war and into the latter part of the 19th century, Frederick Douglass’ “Slaveholders’ Rebellion,” and “War of the Rebellion,” were popular with the Northern press. By the turn of the century, “War Between the States” trended in the Southern newspapers and “Civil War” in the North. Through the 20th century until today, other names ebb and flow in popularity.
Slaveholders’ Rebellion
War of the Rebellion
War Between the States
Civil War
Confederate War
War for the Union
War for Southern Independence
Brothers’ War
War of the Sections
Second American Revolution
War of Southern Aggression
War of Northern Aggression
Sources: Newspapers.com; Foster, Gaines M.,“What’s Not in a Name: The Naming of the American Civil War,” Journal of the Civil War Era (September 2018).
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