The importance of diplomacy during the American Civil War has long been underestimated. Both Northerners, who were committed to the preservation of the Union, and Southerners, determined to create a new nation, understood that without support from Europe, the secession movement in the United States was doomed.

Many photographs of the Civil War held by the National Archives are not listed in this leaflet. Separate inquiries about other Civil War photography should be as specific as possible listing names, places, events, and other details.

Civil wars generally result in higher casualties per country than other types of wars. The opponents are usually representatives of the same culture, society or nationality, and contest the right for the control of political power , and with it the right to formulate policy for future administration of the population and resources of the territory where the dispute takes place.

An insurgency, whether successful or not, is likely to be classified as a civil war by some historians if, and only if, organized armies fight conventional battles.

Other historians state the criteria for a civil war is that there must be prolonged violence between organized factions or defined regions of a country (conventionally fought or not).

As such, mortuary science of this period is an important component of the Museums interpretation of Civil War medicine. Additionally, the building that houses the Museum was used as an embalming station during the Civil War and this aspect of the buildings history is discussed in the exhibit.

Interested students may write their own Civil War-era stories or journal entries using some of this language.