Essay on The American Civil War was Unavoidable - 2135 Words

If one thing is clear from studying early American history, it is that the Civil War was an unavoidable tragedy. Often, hindsight allows us to recognize those points at which history could have taken a different direction, if only some person or thing were different in some way. This is not the case with the American Civil War. Four factors support the notion of inevitability. This paper will explore the way that economics, previous compromises, changing social mores and values, and the nature of politics laid a foundation for the continued regional conflict which eventually resulted in the Civil War. The economic aspects often come in second to morality when discussing slavery in the South’s plantation economy, but they are†¦show more content†¦In other words, they were denied the franchise while also being used to give more power to their masters, who in essence were able to buy influence by purchasing slaves to make their district larger and more influential. Some laws functioned to stem the tide of slavery, such as the Slave Trade Act of 1818, which served to â€Å"prohibit the introduction of slaves into any port or place within. . . the United States† (udayton.edu). Yet for each abolitionist victory, the Southern planation owners were well-prepared with legislation of their own for the purpose of maintaining the status quo. According to Rourk, and his colleagues, â€Å"the Fugitive Slave Act proved to be the most explosive of the compromise measures† (Rourk, et. al., 2009, p.481). This was because Northerners viewed it as an attempt to expand slavery beyond the South and to compel their participation in maintaining slavery, even if it defied their religious or personal morals. While Southerners may have believed that the law was justified, as it dealt with the return of what they saw as property, Northerners felt differently. The heart of the conflict between North and South includes a difference in viewpoint on the ins titution of slavery. The South saw economics as primary, while the Northerners increasingly saw economics as a secondary or tertiary concern after morality and unity. While hindsight now clearlyShow MoreRelated The American Civil War was Unavoidable Essay659 Words   |  3 Pages The American Civil War was unavoidable. Because of regional and political disputes the country would have continued to boil even if the extremists on both sides were kept under control. No matter what was done politically a conflict was necessary to eradicate slavery from this continent.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Anger in the South was becoming a growing trend. The Southerners were angered by the fact that, in their view, the North was trying to dissolve their way of life. Congressman Robert Toombs of Georgia saysRead MoreLeading to the Civil War644 Words   |  3 PagesThroughout history, wars started because of tension between two parties that blew up into full-fledged wars. At times, it is political tension caused by differences in political views. Other times, it is differences in the way they make money, economic disparities. It can even be social disputes that cause the war. The Civil War started because of confrontations about slavery between Northern and Southern United states. It was likewise caused by the different economic styles of the two halves ofRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of Abraham Lincoln s Speech860 Words   |  4 Pagesthe American populous for a second time, in what was known as his second inaugural address, marking his second term in presidency, an d his second address attending to a divided and strained nation. 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