Early in 1861, seven southern states, led by south carolina, broke away from the union. they formed the confederate states of america. confederate troops then took over army forts in those seven states. but a few forts were still held by union soldiers who would not leave. one of these was fort sumter, in south carolina. on april 12, 1861, confederate troops fired on the fort. after 36 hours, the union forces gave up. this battle was important because

a. thousands of lives were lost
b. it ended the civil war
c. general grant was killed
d. it began the civil war