what might have been a catalyst of the civil war?

Answer 1

Slavery.

Answer 2

If the American Civil War was about slavery, why didn't Lincoln say from the start we are going to fight the South to free the slaves, it seems funny that they would fight a war for 18 months or more then decide what your fighting it for, because it was not fought for slavery, the only reason slavery became an issue was because the North was losing the war for the first 18 months and they feared that England and France would join the South and soundly defeat the North, this and only this is why Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, to prevent the these foreign countries from entering the war, because he knew if he made it a war for slavery, that England and France would not join the south for that reason. The funny part about all this, is the North deliberately held the South back for years after the war, by blocking federal money from them, for example Georgia in 1867, that was devastated by the war(Altanta burned to the ground) received $13,000 from the federal government, while Michigan, which was totaly uneffected by the war received 14 million.so whether you were Black or White , if you lived in the South after the war, you suffered, ain't funny how the North always talks about how they freed the slaves, then on the other hand, tryed to starve them to death if they lived in the South,after the war. One must be able to read and research the real facts, instead of what the government spoon feeds you, they always make things out to make themselves look good, all this info is available to anyone interested into looking into it, how the North depraived the south of federal money, not just to rebuild it's war damage, but for schooling, hospitals, business, what the South has today, is in great part of what the Black and White Southerns have worked together (without the help of the federal government,) and make it
God Bless the South and it's people of all races

Answer 3

Roadkill is largely correct. Tariffs and trade were a major factor. As well, there was simply a cultural divide between the agricultural South and the industrial North, where ways of life were simply so different, it was difficult to feel kinsmanship in the same nation. Slavery was a secondary issue, it was a moral stance the North took, whereas the South saw it as not only a way of life, but necessary to maintain the plantation system that sustained them. While slavery had been outlawed in most of the rest of the world, Europe was still happily trading with the South for cotton to manufacture into textiles. The North wanted higher tariffs on European textiles to protect their own fledgling industries, which would then reduce the export income of the South.

It is important to keep in mind that individual states had more freedom from the federal government at this time, so one part of the country could suffer independently of another part due to federal policies much more easily than it would today. In short, the South felt it was being bullied by the North in such a way that their livelihoods were threatened. One could even suggest that the relative lower incomes in the South even today are a throwback to the division of industry and agriculture in the 19th century.

Abraham Lincoln's election was definitely the final catalyst that sparked the secession of South Carolina. When he was elected, that was the final straw in favor of industrialists that sent the plantation owners into full rebellion.

Answer 4

You have to got to understand not just one thing. There are many reasons as to the cause of the Civil War. Some can say that the war truly began...as a war of words.

1. The first United States government was ruled under the Articles of Confederation. The states were seeking a greater degree of self-autonomy for themselves (as you may remember the lack of autonomy being one of the causes of the American Revolution. The individual states could enter into separate treaties with foreign nations and regulate their own commerce, industry, and all affairs of state as thouhg they were their own naton. Yet problems soon arose as bloody revolts and discontent among Revolutionary veterans over compensation promised during the war led to further bloody coups d'etat against the fledgling American government. The northern states already industrializing by this time saw higher tariffs and a more centralized government to their advantage. Most in the then more populous southern states saw it to their advantage that the status quo remained unchanged. After the Constitution was ratified, most of the freedoms accorded the states under the Articles of Confederation were gone...the southern states were left flapping in the breeze so to say. The southerners, never ones to forgt a wrong done them never recovered from this blow to their pride.

2. While debating how representation in the House of Representatives would be decided, the issue of how slaves would count towards representation was a large issue. The northern states were angry because the sheer amount of slaves already in the south would tip the scales in favor of more pro-southern legislation. The 3/5ths compromise was the peacemaker. It stated that slaves would count as 3/5ths of a man, not as a whole man. This would still offset the population in the north until about the mid 19th century.

3. Slavery in itself. Most northern states issued writs abolishing slavery. They pressured the southern states to do so. As southerners souht westward expansion. An increasingly radical Congress began to bar southern expansion into new territories. Th Missouri Compromise barred any slave-oners from expanding north of Missouri, into Kansas, or in the New Mexico territories.

There are still more reasons...but these are the largest.

Answer 5

If you look for the real cause of the Civil War you must first understand it was not a Civil War but a war of independence, or revolutionary war. The cause was tariffs. By 1860 Southern States being major exporters and importers paid 80 percent of federal taxes and were sure most of it was being spent in Northern states. When Lincoln was elected he promised even higher tariffs and southerners feared even more severe plundering by the North.

Answer 6

The southern aristocracy wanted your family to be sharecroppers and the country to be ruled by farming while the north was going industrial.