Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
What caused the American Civil War?
Position1 of 2›

Slavery

Slavery was prevalent throughout the South due to its primarily agrarian economy. While the majority of the Southern population did not own slaves themselves, slavery still held great social and political influence across the region.

Supporting arguments · 4

  1. Prevalence of white supremacy
    White supremacy was prevalent across all levels of Southern society due to the historical presence of slavery in its agrarian economy.
  2. 1860 Presidential election
    The election of Abraham Lincoln, representing the young abolitionist Republican Party, in the 1860 Election was the tipping point for many Southerns to actually secede.
  3. Dred Scott v. Sandford
    Dred Scott v. Sandford, 60 U.S. 393, was a landmark 1857 Supreme Court case that further polarized the United States over the issue of slavery.
  4. John Brown at Harper’s Ferry
    Northern abolitionist John Brown failed to launch an armed slavery insurrection at Harper's Ferry, Virginia on October 16-18, 1859. The failed insurrection gave rise of suspicion among Southerners of a Northern conspiracy to launch slave revolts across the South.