Final answer:
The causes of the Civil War were multifaceted, with slavery, economic differences, state's rights, and Lincoln's ideas on abolition and the Union as key factors. The impact of slavery on slaves and free blacks, as well as the political and economic problems facing the nation after the war, were significant. Sources: McPherson, James M. 'Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era.' Foner, Eric. 'The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery.'
Step-by-step explanation:
The causes of the Civil War were multifaceted, but the institution of slavery was a major factor in the conflict. Slavery not only had a significant political, economic, and social impact on both slaves and free blacks in different regions of the United States, but it also contributed to the rise of sectionalism before the war. The North and the South had differing economic systems, with the North relying heavily on industrialization and the South relying on the plantation economy. These economic differences, along with cultural and religious differences, heightened tensions between the regions.
The issue of state's rights also played a key role in the lead-up to the Civil War. The South asserted that states had the right to determine their own laws and policies, including the legality of slavery. This tension between the federal government and the states further deepened the divide between the North and the South.
Abraham Lincoln's ideas and positions on slavery and the Union were a central topic of debate during the Lincoln-Douglas Debates. Lincoln believed that slavery was morally wrong and advocated for its gradual abolition. He also emphasized the importance of preserving the Union and preventing secession.
Sources:
- McPherson, James M. Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press, 1988.
- Foner, Eric. The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery. W.W. Norton & Company, 2010.