Causes of the Civil War “The Six S’s”

1. Slavery Slavery = key argument between North & South South  Agricultural North  Industrial The South feared the North freeing all slaves The North actually just wanted to stop slavery from spreading at the time

2. Sectionalism The North felt as if the federal government should be able to pass laws for all Americans The South believed in states’ rights Any law not stated in the Constitution belonged to the states and could not be taken away

3. Style (Lifestyle) The lifestyles of the North and South were very different North: Large cities, museums, operas, lectures, theater South: Plantations, hunting, religious revivals, quilting

4. Structure (Class Structure) South: Social structure = very important & based on land and slaves. It was almost impossible to move from one group or another. North: Social structure tied to wealth. It was easier to move up the “social ladder” in the North. The North felt the structure in the South was cruel.

5. Solvency Solvency – the ability to pay all debts Congress passed tariffs that hurt the South and benefited the North. This tariff tried to force the South to buy from Northern factories instead of Europe.

6. Secession Secession – the act of pulling out of the Union The South felt their only option was to secede. South Carolina led this effort. When Lincoln was elected, the South tried to add an amendment to the Constitution protecting slavery  Lincoln refused. Southern leaders – “We split on every plan to compromise. No human power can save the Union.”