The Civil War, which started on this date, was caused by a number of things. Slave owners wanted to expand into Kansas and Nebraska and there was much opposition to it in the North.

Two major mistakes led to the shooting, the south didn't believe that Lincoln would be elected and the North didn't believe the South would leave the union if he was elected.

In the North the soldiers didn't fight to free slaves, they fought to save the union.

More than enough stupidity to go around.

War, the ultimate failure.