The Impact Of Slavery On The Civil War

In America’s history, one of the most controversial and discussed topics is the issue of slavery. It has been a key issue to many since the ending of the Civil War on May 9, 1865. Its involvement in history has led to many important historical events such as the Civil Rights Movement. Where slavery is most discussed, however, is its importance and impact on the Civil War as well as the events leading up to it. Many historians argue that this is the most important factor to the war and the only reason that the war began. There are, however, many other issues that had their impact on the start of the war that were just as important as slavery. Although slavery was a vital part of the South, other factors such as Westward Expansion and the political
This belief, supported by John C. Calhoun says that “states had the right as sovereign parties… to resist any federal encroachment upon their reserved rights” (Roesch). This was a major belief of many in the south and was reinforced through the actions of both the federal government and the state governments in the south. The Southern states, especially South Carolina, believed in states’ rights given to each state in the Constitution. Each state “became and was recognized…as a free, sovereign and independent state” (The Declaration of Causes of Seceding States”). However, many of the laws set forth in the Constitution were being amended by representatives from the North in the Federal Government, especially “laws relating to the ownership of property regarding slave ownership” (“The Declaration of Causes of Seceding States”). States’ rights were further violated, in the early 19th Century, when the Federal government established tax bills and fines on many imported goods with the passage of the Tariff of Abominations (“The Tariff of Abominations”). This tariff, which benefitted and “protected the northern and western agricultural products, result(ed) in …rais(ing) the cost of living” in the Southern States (“The Tariff of Abominations”). This angered many in the south especially those in South Carolina where the regulations had the greatest effect. This led the state government of South Carolina to “pass an act that declared that Federal tariff legislation of 1828 and 1832 could not be enforced onto states and after February 1, 1833, the tariffs would not be recognized by the state” (Trueman). This angered the Federal Government and caused them to sign the Force Bill “which enables the President to use military force to bring any state into line with regards to implementing the Federal law” even if it meant “threat(ing) the use of military force” (Trueman). This