The American Civil War

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As we take a look back on how American has become the nation we both love and hate, we cannot help but think of the Civil War. This war divided a nation and the outcome set the stage for how our nation still operates to this day. The issues between the North and the South, or as they become known back in 1861, The Union and The Confederate States of America, were not something that could have been negotiated. The war lasted four years and ended with victory for the North. I would have to say that I agree with Historians that believe the Civil War was inevitable. The type of conflict between the North and South was ultimately about money and issues like that most likely can never be solved peacefully and without bloodshed. This remains true even to this day considering how our current government handles similar issues. Many may argue that most conflicts can be resolved without conflict but my stance on this particular issue is that when it comes to money and people’s livelihood, no amount of talking can satisfy either side. The Civil War was inevitable because the South did not want to give up their slaves. The work the slaves did provided them with much wealth and in their eyes, opportunity for even more. The South’s profits came from primarily agriculture and the North had evolved and earned their means through industrial endeavors. Since the South was adamant on keeping slavery active, they were more than displeased when Abraham Lincoln was elected president. Lincoln was very open about being against slavery. Although, it wasn’t necessarily wanting to end slavery. He just wanted to stop the expansion of the practice. However, the South saw this as a threat and assumed abolishment of slavery would be the inevitable...

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...sions as they knew he was against slavery but the nail in the coffin was the attack on Fort Sumter. As soon as there was the attempt at bloodshed, there was no turning back. Matters were no longer up for discussion and the only recourse was war.

Works Cited

Roark, J.L., Johnson, M.P., Cohen, P.C., Stage, S., Lawson, A., Hartmann, S.M. (2009). The american promise: A history of the united states (4th ed.), The slave south, 1820-1860, The house divided 1846-1861 (Vol. 1, pp. 434-509). Boston, MA: Bedford / St. Martin’s.
"States' Rights."Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013. .
"Fort Sumter."Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013. .

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