What were the main factors which moved the country into the Civil War?

Answer 1

1.) Ecomonical...which tied into the question of slavery.
2.) State's rights...which also tied in with the question of slavery. The south felt they should be able to live their lives without the government in DC telling them what they can and cannot do.
3.) John Brown's raid at Harper's Ferry, his execution, and Lincoln's election were all contributors of the war.

Oh, and it was from April 12, 1861 - April 9, 1865 not 64 as previously stated. (Lee's surrender is generally accepted as the end, but the war technically didn't end until June 2 1865, when the Confederate Gen Kirby Smith surrended in Galveston Texas.)

Seriously, if you can get a copy. Watch the first episode(First Blood) of Ken Burn's "The Civil War" documentary. It explains virtually everything that triggered the Civil War.

Answer 2

History books are written to support a certain viewpoint, but sometimes allow facts to be known. Given what we can plainly see in American politics today, isn't it a possibility that, though there were few Southern plantation-owning families at the time, (about 170)-what does one suppose drew so many people into their problems with Washington?

If the Republican Party's raping the American people endlessly with no hope of relief was a reality, wouldn't there be a 'class war' today?

I personally believe that most of those who enlisted in the South were of this frame of mind. They simply felt oppressed, and hated the Northern tyrants.

The 'slavery issue' was merely a catchprase, threatening yet more bullying by the more numerous and greedy Northern 'big money'. Similar to 'war on terrorism' today, when terrorist activities are perpetrated daily, since Bush came to power.

One cannot help but note that Oil profits are 'exceedingly high as long as the bullets fly.' Perhaps the current price-hikes are one last greedy bite by the Oil investors before the 'war' is over.

Answer 3

I have to agree with Ledhead. The South wanted to seperate from the North, which would lead to a country with in a country. Not good for a country with economic and growth ambitions. History is often re-written by succeeding generations, and the Civil War is no different. It is taught now that slavery was the cause, or one cause of the war. In fact, it didn't become an issue until 1864, about a year before the end of the war.

Answer 4

Kristina:

Our Civil War in the 1860's here?

Most people will incorrectly answer
this question by saying it was mere
Slavery!

The Real FACT?

*STATES RIGHTS !!!!!
(vs. Northern Federalists)

The political/socio/economical structure
of our country was profoundly changing!

The MAIN Reason the Confederate
States Succeeded was over Political
Differences. Jefferson Davis & the
Confederacy wanted more Political
Power imparted to INDIVIDUAL States.
They felt that Northern Politicians
had negated their life-style & power.

The rebels refused to accept the Dominance,
of the Unionists' FEDERAL Central
Government. They wished for Each
Southern State to dictate their own
direction.

Obviously, the Slavery Issue was an
Instrumental Issue that split our country!

But the Major Focus at the time~
& Now, Historically Speaking today, was
States Rights OVER Federal Rights.

Answer 5

The Compromise of 1850
The Fugitive Slave act of 1853
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854
The formation of the Republican Party in 1854 which denounced slavery
The idea of states rights against the role of the central government
Secession of Southern states
Election of Lincoln to the Presidency in 1860, a Republican
Dred Scott Decision of1857
Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Answer 6

I'm going to assume you mean the American Civil War, which ran from 1860-1864...

The statute that supported slavery in the Constitution expired, and the northern states decided that meant slavery was now outlawed in the entire country. The southern or "slave" states relied on slavery for labor to keep their economy going, and decided to cecede from the union. The Civil War was fought over the right of the individual States to cecede from the Union, with slavery as a side issue.

Answer 7

The South was a bunch of slave-owning Democrat rednecks.

The North elected Abraham Lincoln, and the Republicans which were a new political party dedicated to ending slavery.

The war was on...

Answer 8

The war of Northern Agression (just joking, really) was fought over states' rights and the main right they were fighting for was slavery.

Then there was the firing on Fort Sumpter (sp?).

Answer 9

Slavery was a major divide but not the absolute.Watch a film called Amestus,it will give you a good insight.

Answer 10

Slavery.