Causes of the American Civil War: Slavery, Economics, and Secession

This essay examines the American Civil War, highlighting slavery as the primary cause, along with the secession of southern states and the economic policies of the federal Union. Revisionist historians argue that states' rights and Northern aggression also contributed to the conflict. While some historians present negationist ideologies, the essay emphasizes that slavery and economic pressure from the North were the main drivers, making the war inevitable to protect the southern states' way of life. This analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the factors leading to the outbreak of the Civil War in America.

Running head: AMERICAN HISTORY
American History
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Author Note

1AMERICAN HISTORY
The Civil War between the North and South, or the Union and Confederacy is one of the
most widely studied subjects in the history of the United States. It is indeed one of the most
shameful events in the history of the United States. The root cause of the Civil War is believed to
be the slavery in the southern regions of the country.1 The secession of the southern states in the
1860-1861 actually was the most immediate reason for the Civil War.
This shows the revisionist history when the people of the southern states were made the
slaves and this gave the opportunity to the North or the Union to spread their dominance over the
south. According to the revisionist historians, another cause for the Civil War might have been
the economic policies of the federal Union of America.2 The states’ rights and the secession of
some states from the Union began the outrage among some people in the country. The Northern
aggression was looming large and it was increasing day by day.
Some historians have also commented that the cause of this Confederacy was the actual
reason for the Civil War. This is displayed as the negationist ideology. However, the actual
reason is only the slavery and the continuous economic pressure from the north.3 The war was
1 Schweikart, Larry, and Michael Allen. A Patriot's History of the United States: From Columbus's Great Discovery
to America's Age of Entitlement. Sentinel, 2014.
2 Schweikart, Larry, and Michael Allen. A Patriot's History of the United States: From Columbus's Great Discovery
to America's Age of Entitlement. Sentinel, 2014.
3 Schweikart, Larry, and Michael Allen. A Patriot's History of the United States: From Columbus's Great Discovery
to America's Age of Entitlement. Sentinel, 2014.

2AMERICAN HISTORY
inevitable and lives of the people of the southern states had to be saved at any cost. Due to these
reasons, the outbreak of the Civil War in America took place.

3AMERICAN HISTORY
Reference
Schweikart, Larry, and Michael Allen. A Patriot's History of the United States: From
Columbus's Great Discovery to America's Age of Entitlement. Sentinel, 2014.