Final answer:
The American Civil War, from 1861 to 1865, had three major causes: slavery, state's rights, and the election of Abraham Lincoln, which threatened the Southern way of life and led to the secession of seven states.
Step-by-step explanation:
The American Civil War was a pivotal conflict that shaped the United States, and it was fought between northern Union forces and southern Confederate states from 1861 to 1865. Three major causes of the Civil War were:
- Slavery: This was the central issue that divided the North and South societally, politically, and economically. The North, where slavery was largely abolished, was against its expansion into new territories and states, while the South, with an economy heavily reliant on slave labor, sought to maintain and expand the institution.
- State's Rights: The South argued that states had the right to secede and that federal authority should not override state laws, particularly concerning slavery. This disagreement over the balance of power between state and federal governments contributed to the war.
- Election of Abraham Lincoln: His presidency was seen by the South as a threat to the institution of slavery and their way of life, prompting seven southern states to secede from the Union upon his election in 1860, which was a direct catalyst for the Civil War.