It is argued by many historians that the American Civil War was the first "total war" waged in our history. Explain why the Civil War is considered the first modern war and describe how the war to preserve the Union became a war to end slavery. How did the Civil War transform the national economy, and in the process, create a stronger nation in peace? Finally, in the course of your essay, make sure to discuss what you think are the 3-5 major military and political turning points of the war that support the conclusion that the Civil War was a "total war."