In the context of the Civil War, which term best describes the states that fought for the South?

The term that best describes the states that fought for the South during the Civil War is "Confederacy." This label refers specifically to the group of secessionist states that formed an independent government known as the Confederate States of America. The Confederacy was established by several Southern states that seceded from the Union in 1860 and 1861, primarily over issues such as states' rights and slavery.

The choice of "Confederacy" is significant because it encapsulates the political and military alliance of these Southern states in opposition to the Union. The Confederacy sought to maintain their sovereignty and the institution of slavery, which they believed was vital to their agricultural economy.

In contrast, the term "Union" refers to the states that remained loyal to the federal government during the Civil War. "Alliance" and "Fraternity" are more general terms and do not specifically relate to the Civil War context, making them less appropriate for describing the Southern states that engaged in the conflict.