the northern area of the United States, especially the states that fought to preserve the Union in the American Civil War (1861 - 1865). The Civil War was fought between the northern (Union) and southern (Confederate) states in which the Confederacy sought to establish itself as a separate nation. The war grew out of deepseated differences between the social structure and economy of North and South, most notably over slavery; the South being majorly in favor of slavery. —HSSC Glossary (approved 3-9-90)