What event marked the beginning of the American Civil War?

The bombardment of Fort Sumter is recognized as the event that marked the beginning of the American Civil War. On April 12, 1861, Confederate forces fired upon the fort, which was located in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. This attack prompted the Union to respond militarily, leading to a declaration of war. The significance of this event lies in its role as a catalyst; it was the first instance of armed conflict between the North and the South, solidifying the tensions that had been escalating over issues like slavery and states' rights.

In contrast, although the Battle of Gettysburg was a pivotal battle in the war, it occurred later, in July 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation, announced by President Lincoln in 1863, was crucial in shifting the war's focus to the abolition of slavery but did not initiate the conflict. Similarly, Lincoln's election victory in 1860 was a significant contributing factor to the secession of Southern states but was not the triggering moment of the war itself. Therefore, the bombardment of Fort Sumter is correctly identified as the event that marked the war's outbreak.