Final answer:
The Civil War was primarily fought over slavery, despite some arguments about other factors like states' rights or economic differences.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the Civil War, there are several motivations that people argue about. Some argue that the war was fought over states' rights, while others believe it was about preserving the Union. However, the primary cause of the Civil War was indeed slavery. Slavery was deeply intertwined with every aspect of Southern society, and it was the economic and social institution that led to the deep divide between the North and the South.
Those who argue against the idea that the Civil War was fought over slavery often cite other issues such as states' rights or economic differences. While these factors certainly played a role, it is important to note that they were ultimately rooted in the fundamental disagreement over slavery. The Southern states believed they had the right to own slaves, while the Northern states sought to abolish the institution.
Therefore, it is clear that slavery was the main cause of the Civil War, and any alternative arguments are based on misunderstandings or attempts to downplay the significance of slavery in American history.