So I understand what it means, but I don’t know how to put it in words. Can somebody describe to me what “civil rights” are?

What are civil rights? Civil rights are an essential component of democracy. They're guarantees of equal social opportunities and protection under the law, regardless of race, religion, or other characteristics. Examples are the rights to vote, to a fair trial, to government services, and to a public education.

Explanation:

lincoln declared that slavery should not be allowed to spread into the new states, and of course this angered the south at the time.