What caused the civil war?

WHAT CAUSED THE CIVIL WAR

There were many different causes which were the roots of the U .S . Civil War

Briefly , these causes included slavery , different moral systems different economic

systems , and different visions of America . The single most influential causes are inter-

related . The issues of slavery and the different economic system which relied in large part

on slave labor in the South were , in my opinion , the primary cause for the war . Certainly

the plantations (especially the cotton business ) in the South were a major source

of the

stream of income upon which the South was vitally dependent . The plantations were

primarily Southern phenomenon and its existence created unfair trade competition for

Northern businesses (Encarta :2007

While it may seem that the South was unjust in maintaining the slave trade , I

believe that there hearts and minds were predicated on that industry were purely

economic . Unfortunately , many sources of alleged discrimination were and are swayed

by the almighty dollar . The South was so dependent on the slave-driven economy that

their perspective and ideals surrounded the perpetuation of slavery for their livelihoods

Furthermore , the main debate just prior to the outbreak of the Civil War

concerned whether slavery would be allowed in the newly-admitted Western States

which were acquired through the Mexican War , such as some parts of California , Utah

and New Mexico . Additionally , at that time , loyalty to one 's state often took precedence

over loyalty to one 's county ' The South feared that the election of Abraham Lincoln

meant a stronger federal government and , in turn , was a threat to the entire slave industry (Encarta :2007 . In conclusion , I believe that although the slave issue was a major cause

of the Civil War , it was not the sole cause

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CITATION

American Civil War . Encarta . Retrieved on May 13 , 2007 , from HYPERLINK "http /www .encarta .ms " www .encarta .ms .com /text_4__0 /Civil_War .html

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