The Slavery Issue Of The Civil War - 1373 Words

The slavery issue is a subject that continues to be discussed today, and for most Americans, the main reason that launched the civil war. Both authors agree that slavery was morally wrong and it almost brought the Union to its knees and the destruction of it. However, both authors have very distinct thoughts and reasons for it. While Stanley Elkins’ Slavery has a more personal and opinionated account, James McPherson’s interpretation in Ordeal by Fire is based on facts. McPherson employs the use of graphics and charts to illustrate and quantify the findings about slavery and his book. James McPherson bases his writings on the economic factors that made slavery the main force for prosperity for the American South. Cotton production had become the main source of income for the US from 1815 to 1860 . The Southern States’ economy was growing but they were, for the most part, reluctant to the ideas of modernization. The slave states valued tradition and stability mo re than change and progress. They responded with distaste to the Northern States competitive views and progress and their view of how America should be in the future. Stanley Elkins views on slavery were based on a more personal view of the issue. He is more of a liberal writer and bases his opinion on his views of the problem. Elkins talks about the problem of slavery in America and the problem that continues to affect it. He claims that slavery and its aftermath pose a problem for all Americans that, if it alreadyShow MoreRelatedThe Issue Of Slavery And The Civil War1315 Words   |  6 PagesThe question of slavery and the rights of states to decide on the matter for themselves completely controlled politics in the years prior to the Civil War. Laws were passed, such as the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which made it so any slaves that escaped were to be sent back to their owners. Not only would these runaway slaves be punished severely, but anybody who aided them in escape would also be subject to harsh punishment. These desperate men, women, and children had no protection in the legalRead MoreSlavery and Pre-Civil War Issues2065 Words   |   8 PagesSlavery and Pre Civil War Issues 15. Use TWO of the following categories to analyze the ways in which African Americans created a distinctive culture in slavery. Family, Music, Oral Traditions, and Religion Thesis: Despite the oppression of slavery, African Americans were able to keep their culture alive through their music and oral traditions. Topic Sentence 1: African Americans were able to create and preserve a distinctive music culture that helped to showcase their culture in a white dominatedRead MoreHave Historians over Emphasised the Slavery Issue as a Cause of the Civil War?2008 Words   |  9 PagesThe American Civil War has caused many debates amongst a wide range of historians resulting in many different views being formed on all aspects of the War. The argument whether slavery has been overemphasised is one of great debate. Some historians like Michael F. Holt concur that the slavery issue was nearly the only reason and cause of the American civil war. Others disagree, Joel H. Silbey agrees that this is a reason but not the only one other ideas to need to be looked at to the cause of theRead MoreSectional issues leading up to the Civil War, how the North South and West felt about states rights, tariffs, western land policy, mexican war, secession and how all these linked back to slavery.1364 Words   |  6 Pa gesThe Civil war was the most momentous and crucial period of time in the history of America. Not only did this war bring an end to slavery but also paved way for numerous social and political changes. The country had already been torn by the negative trend in race relations and the numerous cases of slave uprisings were taking their toll on the country s political and social structure. The country was predominately divided up into 3 sections, the North, the South, and the West. Each of these groupsRead MorePrimary Cause Of The Civil War Essay838 Words   |  4 Pages The Civil War began from the battle at Fort Sumter, where the Confederacy took Fort Sumter from the Union.The root of the Civil War is probably one of the most disputed topics in American history. Some historians argue that slavery was the primary cause of the American Civil War, whereas others argue that slavery may have been a reason, but not the primary cause of the Civil War. They argued that the main reason of th e Civil War was State’s rights were being jeopardized, which led to the State’sRead MoreThe Causes Of The Civil War1409 Words   |  6 PagesThe causes of the Civil War were complex and have been controversial since the country began. Some causes include; states’ rights, economics, and slavery. The most recognizable and popular cause is slavery. The freeing of the slaves was an important moral issue at the time and one of the greatest causes of the civil war. It was only by carefully avoiding the moral issue involved in slavery that Northerners and Southerners could meet on any common ground. (Goldston, 79). The time came in which ourRead MoreCivil War Causes1382 Words   |  6 Pages Causes of the Civil War John Brown’s Raid vs. Industrial Revolution John Brown’s Raid was a more influential cause to the civil war than the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution caused incompability between the North and the South. The North relied on wage laborers with the new machine age economy while the South relied heavily on slaves. So, the North did not need slaves for their economyRead MoreThe American Civil War981 Words   |  4 PagesThe American Civil War was one of the major events in history that helped develop America to what it is today. Many people think that the American Civil War was fought over the issue of slavery alone, but in reality it was caused by many disagreements and events between the northern free states and southern slave states that occurred prior to the war. Monetary alterations were one of the main reasons the North and South had many conflicts and differences in beliefs. The Civil War was an inevitableRead MoreAbraham Lincoln House Divided Speech Essay1148 Words   |  5 Pagesdivided the nat ion in two and began a civil war that would last until May of 1865. Although the cause of the war was later twisted into looking like states’ rights, the actual cause of the Civil War was slavery. Two years before the Civil War officially began, people were already wary of the problems that slavery could cause in the nation. In his â€Å"House Divided† Speech at the Republican Convention in 1858, Abraham Lincoln warned that slavery would cause a war, saying that the two opinions on theRead MoreSlavery Cause for Civil War1483 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿ SLAVERY (THE MAIN CAUSE OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR) US History to 1877 – HIST101 American Military University, 26 April 2014 Many factors led to the occurrence of the American Civil War. The key issues were slavery, different political ideologies, right of the people, and economic reasons. However, the key reasons that lead to the Civil War was slavery. Slavery is touted as the main cause of the conflict between the states in the northern part and those in the