Question

When the civil war began what did most people in both the north and south believe.

Answer 1

When the Civil War began, people in both the north and south had different beliefs about the causes and motivations behind the conflict. The war was ultimately fought over the preservation of the Union and the issue of slavery.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the Civil War began, people in both the north and south held different beliefs. Northerners believed there was a vast slave power conspiracy dominating national politics, while southerners saw an influential abolitionist element trying to eliminate slavery all over the country. However, it is important to note that few people on either side fell into these extremist categories. As tensions mounted, people began to wonder if their differences could ever be resolved. Ultimately, the war was fought over the preservation of the Union and the issue of slavery, with the North fighting to restore the Union and the South fighting for its independence.

Answer 2

It's abundantly clear, as recent scholarship has demonstrated that religion stood at the center of the Civil War for both sides. Both North and South looked to God for meaning, and each side believed—with equal fervor and certitude—that God was on its side.