Final answer:
An argument for people who believe that the Civil War was fought over something other than slavery is that they may argue that states' rights and protection of individual liberties were the noblest causes.
However, the primary cause of the Civil War was indeed slavery. The secession of the Confederate states and the subsequent war were directly tied to the defense and expansion of slavery.
Step-by-step explanation:
An argument for people who believe that the Civil War was fought over something other than slavery is that they may argue that states' rights and protection of individual liberties were the noblest causes.
These individuals contend that the war was primarily about the power struggle between the federal government and the states, with slavery being just one issue among many. They may argue that the Confederate states seceded to protect their rights and preserve their way of life, including their economic and political autonomy.
They might cite the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states, as evidence that the states had the right to secede.
They could also point out that the debate over states' rights and the balance of power between the federal and state governments has been a recurring theme in American history, with the Civil War being a pivotal moment in that ongoing debate.
While it is important to acknowledge these arguments, it is also important to recognize that the primary cause of the Civil War was indeed slavery.
The secession of the Confederate states and the subsequent war were directly tied to the defense and expansion of slavery. The Confederate states explicitly mentioned slavery as a core reason for secession in their declarations of secession. Additionally, the Confederate Constitution explicitly protected the institution of slavery.