Final answer:
The fighting over slavery could not have been peacefully resolved due to deeply entrenched beliefs, political and economic conflicts, and irreconcilable differences between the North and South.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether the fighting over slavery could have been peacefully resolved is a complex one. Tensions between the North and South over the issue of slavery had been mounting for decades and reached a breaking point in the mid-19th century. While there were efforts made to find compromises, such as the Compromise of 1850, these temporary solutions ultimately failed to address the underlying issues.
One of the main reasons that a peaceful resolution was unlikely is that both sides had deeply entrenched beliefs about the institution of slavery. Northerners saw slavery as a moral evil that needed to be eradicated, while Southerners viewed it as a necessary and beneficial institution for their economy and way of life.
Additionally, the issue of slavery became intertwined with other political and economic conflicts, further complicating any attempts at peaceful resolution. Ultimately, the differences between the North and South over slavery were too deeply rooted and irreconcilable, leading to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861.