Final Answer:
No, it is not possible to have a meaningful discussion about the causes of the Civil War without addressing the issue of slavery. Slavery was a central and deeply ingrained factor in the economic, social, and political landscape of the pre-Civil War United States, and any attempt to divorce the discussion from this critical element would overlook a fundamental aspect of the conflict.
Step-by-step explanation:
The assertion that a discussion about the causes of the Civil War can occur without delving into the issue of slavery neglects the intricate web of historical, economic, and social factors that contributed to the eruption of hostilities. Slavery was not merely a peripheral concern but a foundational and divisive institution deeply embedded in the Southern way of life.
The Southern economy heavily relied on slave labor, shaping its agricultural practices and creating a stark contrast with the industrializing North. The tension between the economic interests of slaveholding states and the free states played a pivotal role in the lead-up to the war.
Furthermore, attempts to sidestep the slavery question risk overlooking the moral and ethical dimensions that fueled the conflict. Debates over the expansion of slavery into newly acquired territories and states further underscored the inextricable link between slavery and the outbreak of the Civil War.
Ignoring slavery in discussions about the causes of the war would be akin to overlooking a crucial variable in a complex equation, rendering any analysis incomplete and ultimately flawed.
In conclusion, any comprehensive understanding of the causes of the Civil War necessitates a thorough examination of the institution of slavery. To disregard slavery in such discussions would be to overlook a critical catalyst and diminish the nuanced understanding required to grasp the complexities of this pivotal period in American history.