For a large part of the 1860’s the American Civil War caused the United States to focus on the eastern part of the nation. The powerful northern states had more control in the U.S. government and voted to abolish slavery. Many of the large plantations that had made the southern white people rich were dependent on the use of black slaves. As part of the old southern confederate culture, whites were also considered superior to colored people. The southern states wanted nothing to do with abolishment of slavery and left the union. The southern states made a new capitol and a confederate government.