In the early 1800s, the economies of the North and the South were independent, although agriculture was the most significant economic activity in both territories. However, there was a change in the scope of commerce, as each focused on specific events. For instance, while the North specialized in industry and manufacturing, the South started focusing on plantation farming. It led to a disparity in development as the North had more returns as the process led to increased growth in the Northern states (Mountjoy, 2009). Ideally, it sparked an increase in migration as more people flooded the Northwest to exploit the opportunities. Nevertheless, the American civil war erupted in 1861 and ended in 1865, but with a death toll of hundreds of thousands (Varon, 2019). Thus, slavery, territorial rights, and reasons linked to the economy have been cited as the reasons for the eruption of the war.
Slavery
Slavery had been a severe issue of the United States, although it was still in practice even after the abolitionists had started a movement to stop the trade in the 1930s. It was believed that slavery was unjust and unfair, and these were enough reasons for its discontinuation (Cook, 2017). On this note, the North experienced an increase in the strength of the antislavery movement. Some parts of the population believed that stopping the trade would have an economic impact as it would limit the growth of the South. Nevertheless, there was a difference in opinion as most of the states in the South were benefiting from slavery. The cotton districts became highly profitable as most of the workers on the farms were not paid, yet the commerce was lucrative (Varon, 2019). Due to the conflict in defining the abject decree that would be adopted by both parties, there was increased tension. Notably, while the majority of aspects of slavery were illegal in the North, it was evident that the South continued to practice slavery.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Territorial Issues
Purchases, negotiations, and conquests are stated as the main approaches that the United States used between 1830 and 1850s to increase its territorial control. However, the control and independence of the new states was a critical issue that brought division in the country (Mountjoy, 2009). Three questions were vital for discourse as they could easily affect the nation. First, there was a need to define the rights that states had and if they would have any control over the federal government. Secondly, it was to be ratified if the states would have more authority than the central government (Cook, 2017). Third, it was to be affirmed whether the central government would be the decision-maker in matters that affect the country or not. Since these issues had not been debated to reach an agreement, the tension would continue to rise.
The tension between the North and the South continued to mount as each fraction had a distinct idea on the issue of control. For instance, the South stated that the states had to have the right to secede from the territory. Besides, states were to have the independence of making laws for their regions (Varon, 2019). The underlying fact is that most of the Southerners were not comfortable with the statutes initiated by the central government. On the other hand, the North was instrumental in the creation of some of the laws. For example, the North incepted the rules that would levy a tax on cotton, and this led to a degree of disagreement with the South as most of the people were involved in farming. The contention escalated when it was discovered that the North did not produce any cotton, yet there were authorizing taxation of the produce (Cook, 2017). At the same time, the North affirmed that all states were to be governed by these laws as they were part of the USA. Since the South did not secede, the growing tension escalated to conflict.
Antebellum Period
The antebellum period refers to the period after the war between 1812 and 1815 and before the civil war in 1861. Notably, there was independent development of the economies of the South and North at this period (Varon, 2019). The differences in the decision on slavery led to the influx of slaves to the South since it supported the trade. On the other hand, the North did not support this activity, and this affected their scope of development. Besides, there was the aspect of social reforms in education as it was thought to have a positive impact on the lives of the residents (Mountjoy, 2009). Nevertheless, the tension between the South and the North was evident as the two fractions did not seem to have a unified understanding of the issues.
Nationalism
Most of the Northerners were focused on the issue of nationalism as they felt that the country would develop at a faster rate with the inclusion of such an aspect. Famous spokesmen such as Daniel Webster provided their input on the issue, and they rallied people to support these views (Dew, 2016). In contrast, the Southerners were opposed to this stance as some of them were loyal to the Southern state rather than the entire nation. Therefore, the split led to the conflict as they could not seem to agree.
Conclusion
In the context of the civil war, it is evident that there existed numerous differences between the South and the North. While the North initiated the fight against slavery, the South was in support of the trade due to its impact on developing the economy. Additionally, the North was focused on cementing a union in the country while the South was more inclined to split. Due to the constant tension created by the difference of opinion, the civil war erupted in 1861.
References
Cook, R. J. (2017). Civil War Memories: Contesting the past in the United States since 1865. Baltimore, Md: Johns Hopkins University Press.
Dew, C. B. (2016). Apostles of disunion: Southern secession commissioners and the causes of the Civil War. Charlottesville; London: University of Virginia Press.
Mountjoy, S. (2009). Causes of the Civil War. New York, N.Y.: Chelsea House.
Varon, E. R. (2019). Armies of deliverance: A new history of the Civil War . New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
