The Causes of the Civil War

The Civil War stemmed mainly from deep disagreements over slavery and states' rights. Southern states wanted to keep and expand slavery, which they relied on economically, while Northern states opposed it. These differences created divisions over whether states could leave the Union and how the federal government should manage slavery. Tensions grew as new territories were settled, leading to conflicts over whether they would be free or slave-holding. Ultimately, these unresolved issues, combined with political disputes and conflicting economic interests, led to the outbreak of war in 1861.