Causes of the American Civil War Are there some problems that cannot be solved without conflict?

Causes of the American Civil War * SLAVERY * PROTECTIVE TARIFFS * STRONG FEDERAL GOVERNMENT Vs STATES RIGHTS * SECTIONALISM

Slavery South North Not needed to support the northern economy. Slavery was needed to produce the labor intensive products of cotton, rice, and tobacco. The plantation system was a deeply engrained part of the Southern domestic, political, and economic cultures. By the time of the on set of the civil war, slave produced cotton would account for over 50% of all United States exports. North Not needed to support the northern economy. Slavery had been abolished in most northern states shortly after the American Revolution. The Abolitionist movement picked up steam in the 1830s and demanded the end of slavery in the United States.

Protective Tariffs North Northern industries needed the protective tariff to remain competitive in the industrial revolution with Britain. South Protective tariffs made the British products that southerners were so fond of more expensive. Britain responded by placing a tariff on American cotton and rice. As a result southerners had less money to purchase more expensive British manufactured goods.

Strong Federal Government vs. States Rights Due to their loss of power in the House of Representatives and the difficulties of maintaining a balance between free and slave states in the senate , southerners began to advocate States Rights Theory. States Rights Theory stated that states could declare federal laws void if they hurt the states. The theory also claimed that if the federal government continued passing laws that harmed the states that they could secede from the Union. Northerners wanted a strong federal government where the people through their chosen representatives in congress would decide what was best for the country.

Sectionalism Loyalty to local interests. In the 1800s the United States divided into northern and southern sections over the issues of slavery tariffs (economy), and a strong national government vs. states rights (politics). As the United States developed, it grew into two sections. The North industrialized and the South remained agricultural and ever more dependant on slave labor. As time went by the North and South grew further and further apart and this sectionalism worsened to the point where many in the North and South saw themselves as two different countries.

Counting the Costs of The American Civil War Union 360,000 dead, 275,000 wounded. $2.3 Billion dollars spent fighting the war. Confederate 285,000 dead, approximately 100,000 wounded. $1 billion dollars spent fighting the war.

Change Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves in territories still in rebellion as of 1 January 1863. 13th Amendment to the US Constitution abolished slavery. 14th Amendment to the US Constitution guarantees equal protection under the laws to all. 15th Amendment to the US Constitution guarantees that the right to vote can not be abridged on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Northern victory meant that the view that secession from the United States is illegal won out over States Rights Theory. Was the conflict we call the civil war necessary to make these Changes? You Decide.