What to call the American Civil War became as much of a disunified concept as describing many of its themes. Across the various publications and perspectives, what title was given to the war signaled the different ways people assigned meaning to the causes of the war and which side would be held responsible for starting it. Titles such as "The War Between the States" meant that the conflict was acknowledged as one between States and over issues such as States' rights. Others such as "The War for the Union" or "The War of the Rebellion" suggested that the war was fought to preserve the Union. Consensus began forming, however, over the less controvercial title: The American Civil War.
