The American Civil War and Slavery's Role in US History

This essay delves into the profound impact of slavery on the American Civil War, examining its role as a primary cause of the conflict. It begins by highlighting the significance of slavery within the United States, tracing the evolution of the institution and its influence on the nation's political landscape. The essay explores key legislative acts and compromises, such as the 3/5th Compromise, the Missouri Compromise, the Compromise of 1850, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act, along with the Dred Scott Decision, to illustrate the escalating tensions surrounding slavery. It argues that slavery's incompatibility with the principles of freedom, equality, and free markets, as well as the violation of basic human rights, fueled the conflict. The essay also examines the role of Abraham Lincoln and the rise of industrialization in the North as contributing factors to the war. It concludes by emphasizing the forced labor and exploitation of enslaved people, highlighting the central role of slavery in the outbreak of the Civil War.

Running head: AMERICAN CIVIL WAR AND SLAVERY
American Civil War and Slavery
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Author Note

1AMERICAN CIVIL WAR AND SLAVERY
The aspect of slavery arose in prominence within the region of the United States of
America (Rasmussen, 2018). This essay seeks to understand the issue of slavery and how it
changed the political course of the United States in the following years, leading to the outbreak
of the American Civil War.
A number of treaties and agreements were enacted in the United States on the issue of
slavery (DeRosa, 2018). One of the treaties was that of 3/5th Compromise. One of the outcomes
of this legislation was that the number of slaves existing in a state would determine the
representation of the state in the Congress and its taxation. Second, this would increase the
authority of those states which have a high number of slaves.
Another treaty signed was that of Missouri Compromise of 1820. One of the outcomes
was that of Missouri was declared as a slave state. Second, slavery was eliminated in the
Louisiana Territory.
Compromise of 1850 had certain important legislations. First, California was declared to
be a free state. Second, Mexico was separated in to two states and slavery was based on popular
sovereignty.
The Kansas Nebraska Act was signed in 1854. It provided the freedom to Nebraska and
Kansas to decide on the issue of slavery. Second, it repealed the Missouri Compromise Act,
1850.
The Dred Scott Decision ensured that Dred Scott was treated as a slave. Second, African
Americans were denied citizenship of the United States.
Slavery is incompatible with the economic and political system of the United States as it
is against the basic human right of freedom and liberty (Filler, 2017). Second, the founding

2AMERICAN CIVIL WAR AND SLAVERY
Fathers of the United States sought to establish a free political system for the people of the
country so that they would be treated equally. In this aspect, the issue of slavery is a gross
violation of this principle of equality. The third reason that can be provided against slavery is
that the United States believe in the aspect of a free market place where there is free and fair
competition among the people. This competition can only be free when all the individuals have
the opportunity to participate in this field.
One of the main causes of the American Civil War was that of slavery. The gross
violation of the basic human right of these slaves made them agitated to a great extent so much
that they revolted (Acharya, Blackwell & Sen, 2016). Another reason of Civil War was that of
the mechanisms of Abraham Lincoln. He tried to end slavery for which many of the states in the
South were against him. A third factor was that of the increase in the number of industries in the
North. The functioning of the industries did not require any slaves and hence, these states
gradually began to be against the activity of slavery.
In conclusion, it is observed that the people belonging to the black ethnic community
were forced to work in the plantation fields of America. In exchange for their labor they were not
given any kind of remuneration or wages. This led to slavery.

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References:
Acharya, A., Blackwell, M., & Sen, M. (2016). The political legacy of American slavery. The
Journal of Politics, 78(3), 621-641.
DeRosa, M. (2018). The Politics of Dissolution: Quest for a National Identity and the American
Civil War. Routledge.
Filler, L. (2017). The crusade against slavery: 1830-1860. Routledge.
Rasmussen, D. (2018). American Uprising: The Untold.