3 most important aspects of Civil War to understand

Need help on this.

"From the perspective of a student of American history, what are the 3 most important aspects of the Civil War to understand? Why are they the MOST important?"

Does anyone know?
I need help thanks!!

dear shun,as for three aspects,do you mean at the start of the war ,half way thru the war,or at the end.at the beggining seems staterights to the south,in the north solidifying the usa,possibly the tariff issue,mistrust on both sides.later abolition of slavery.at the end the usa is aworld power.all can agree the cw is one of the dumbest things we done to each other is that an aspect?

I guess any "3 Most Important" aspects are fine. I need to write an short essay on this and I am having trouble finding the information and the "IMPORTANT ASPECTS".

I also need to know why they ARE important...

thanks

Wow, what an awesome question, really!!! I think that question is so large it needs breaking down into many areas. I'll just answer quickly and spontaneously, okay?
1.Military Innovation
2.Impact on future of the USA
3.A set piece American Drama,with most events and characters known, that provides years of entertainment and thought to people like us.

1: Musket to Machinegun. Wooden boats to Iron Ships. Field medicine that led to things like Red Cross and huge improvements for all Americans. Strategy and Tactics: from standing and dying to learning concealment and cover; from static battles to use of rail and ship and cavalry for mobility, something not lost on Nazis later on. Oh, the list goes on. This is a fascinating aspect of Civil War.

2:Had war not happened, we would have remained at standing army of 15,000 men and aging wood boats. France and England would have surpassed us in those fields AND then France might well have taken Mexico for good, and England taken not only Canada but American West for good. It is the one GREAT benefit of this war: that we ended with an army and navy millions strong, with huge technical advances enabling us to become a world power. I shudder to think what would have happened had the war not occured.

3: Finally, and selfishly, the War provides you and me the opportunity to study a drama so well documented it's like being there. We can see an entire age, one distinct from ours, and how it went from horse/buggy to rail, ironships,etc; with planes, tanks,etc. in near future. With improvements for the civilian front. We get to know these people like family, don't we? Some may argue that it is not one of the three important things but if it were not, if we weren't fascinated, then who would care,eh?

In conclusion: you asked a dynamite question. It is one that could scare people away because it requires great thought and taking a stand on what a person thinks about that war. You challenged us and I thank you. Again, my answers were fast and spontaneous, but I think they reflect my basic opinions. Thanks again.