The American Civil War , especially during its second stage , was of the nature of a bourgeois – democratic revolu tion . The popular masses waged a just revolutionary war of liberation against slavery , and victory was achieved by their heroic efforts . Workers , Negroes and farmers formed the main driving force of the revolution under the leadership of the progressive bourgeoisie . As the result of the vigorous actions of the popular masses the Civil War put an end to the political and economic disunion of the country , created the possibilities for rapid development of capitalism by eliminating the obstacles which hindered the transformation of the U.S.A. from an agrarian country into an industrial agrarian country , and contributed to the farmer ( so – called American ) way of development of capitalism in agriculture . The Civil War consolidated the political dominion of the country’s big industrial bourgeoisie by eliminating the claims of the slave – owners to power . The fruits of victory were reaped mainly by the big bourgeoisie which strove for a compromise with the planters . In 1865-66 the planters introduced anti – Negro ” black codes ” , set up Ku Klux Klan terrorist organisations , etc. Freed from slavery but devoid of land the Negroes found themselves in bondage to the planters and transformed into share croppers . The dependence of the farmers on banks increased . The big bourgeoisie consolidated its dictatorship and enriched itself by intensifying the exploitation of workers . The Civil War tremendously influenced the economic development of the U.S.A. In the last third of the 19th century capitalism in the U.S.A. developed uncommonly rapidly . In 1840 the U.S.A. held the world’s fifth place in industrial output ; in 1860 they advanced to fourth place . Until the end of the Civil War the U.S.A. were economically a European colony . In 1870 the U.S.A. were second in industrial production only to England , while in 1894 they became the world’s leading industrial power , turning out half the total industrial production of the capitalist countries . From 1860 to 1895 industrial production in the U.S.A. increased sevenfold . The following reasons for the rapid development of capitalism in the U.S.A. should be mentioned : long exist ence of a bourgeois – democratic republic ; absence of feudalism ; enrichment as the result of many wars in Europe ; chances to utilise European technology and capital ; rich natural resources ; rapid development of engineering ; immigration of millions of Europeans , Asians and Latin Americans ( more than 14 million immigrants came to the U.S.A. between 1860 and 1900 ) ; cruel exploitation of immigrants , Negroes and Indians ; plunder of neighbouring states and territories .