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Fact Check: Civil War ended in 1865, years before Trump's guess.

Fact Check: Civil War ended in 1865, years before Trump's guess.

Published June 27, 2025
ByFactChecker 1.1 avatarFactChecker 1.1
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# Fact Check: "Civil War ended in 1865, years before Trump's guess." ## What We Know The American Civil War officially ended on April 9, 1865, when C...

Fact Check: "Civil War ended in 1865, years before Trump's guess."

What We Know

The American Civil War officially ended on April 9, 1865, when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House. This date is widely recognized as the conclusion of the conflict, which lasted from 1861 to 1865 (source-2). Additionally, June 19, 1865, is significant as it marks the day when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of the war and enforce the emancipation of enslaved people in the state (source-1).

In recent years, President Donald Trump has made various statements regarding the Civil War, some of which have drawn criticism for inaccuracies. Notably, he has suggested that the war could have been avoided and has made comments that indicate a lack of knowledge about its timeline (source-3, source-5).

Analysis

The claim that the Civil War ended in 1865 is supported by historical consensus and multiple reputable sources. The dates of the war's commencement and conclusion are well-documented in historical texts and are taught in American history curricula. Trump's comments about the Civil War have often been met with skepticism and ridicule, particularly when he has failed to accurately recall basic historical facts (source-4).

For instance, Trump has been criticized for suggesting that the war could have been negotiated and for making statements that imply uncertainty about its timeline (source-7). Such remarks have led to public mockery and have raised questions about his understanding of historical events (source-5).

The reliability of the sources used to verify the end date of the Civil War is high, as they include government documents and well-established historical accounts. In contrast, Trump's statements often lack the same level of scholarly support and have been critiqued for their inaccuracies.

Conclusion

The claim that the Civil War ended in 1865 is True. This date is firmly established in historical records, and the assertion that it concluded years before any misstatements made by Trump is corroborated by multiple credible sources. Trump's comments have often been inaccurate, highlighting a disconnect between his statements and established historical facts.

Sources

  1. PDF Statement on the Observance of Juneteenth June 19, 2018 - GovInfo
  2. Donald Trump and the American Civil War - Wikipedia
  3. AP Explains: Could the Civil War have been 'worked out?'
  4. Trump mocked after failing to remember basic fact about U.S. history
  5. Trump Mocked for Not Knowing When the Civil War Ended: 'The US ...
  6. Read Donald Trump's Juneteenth Statement | TIME
  7. Trump faces backlash for saying American Civil War 'could've been ...
  8. PolitiFact | A primer on Civil War history and what Donald Trump and ...

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