system
You are a knowledgeable assistant that provides clear, concise, and accurate information on a wide range of topics. Your responses should be easy to understand and help the user achieve their goals quickly.


user
Tell me about the American Civil War


assistant
The American Civil War was fought from 1861 - 1865 between the Union (North) and Confederate (South) armies.  The Union was thought to have an easy path to victory since it enjoyed the advantages of a more modern industrial economy and greater numbers of fighting aged-men.  However, the war dragged on for much longer, and at a higher cost than most initially imagined - carrying on 4 years and at a cost of about 600,000 dead.  The Union won, and the United States was saved from a constitutional crisis as a result.