The Shia sect of Islam is primarily different from Sunni Islam in the belief that the first legitimate Imam following Muhammad was Imam Ali. Unlike the three caliphs that succeeded Muhammad, Ali was part of Muhammad's clan (related to him). Major Shia caliphates include the Fatimid and Safavid caliphates.
After the civil war the single political entity was confirmed which led to more than four million enslaved Americans being freed. A more established federal government was also a consequence of the civil war.
