This outline of of the American Civil War (or War Between the States) and Reconstruction serves as a useful study guide for children or for anyone who may be exploring this period of history for the first time. The outline collapses the complex events surrounding this time period into an outline of key events that need to be explored in order to fully understand the Civil War and the Period of Reconstruction. This outline was written in a fairly simple and comprehensive way so that it would serve the purpose of young readers wishing to do research about the War and/or those who have absolutely no familiarity with the basic situation inside and outside the U.S. during the years from 1817 to 1877.