It is important to note that the Civil War of 1861 was one of the most critical turning points in U.S. history, which fundamentally changed the direction the nation has been taking since then. The diversion of viewpoints between the North and the South reached the culmination manifested in the war. Thus, American society became deeply divided into two key fronts due to their different values, practices, economies, political beliefs, and stance on slavery.
Firstly, the primary cause of the Civil War began with the differential developments of the economies in the North and the South, demonstrated by Document F. The South was mainly an agricultural economy dependent on manual labor to collect the crops. Black slaves played a significant role in the sustenance and maintenance of the farms. However, the North was fundamentally different in its economic development, which was primarily driven by industrialization and the use of machines.
Secondly, the divide in economic development drastically impacted the values held in the North and the South. The former began viewing slavery for what it always was, which is a horrendous, inhumane, and immoral practice exemplified by Document B. It is relevant since the northerners became advocates for the abolitionism of slavery and for freeing Black people from their masters, as shown in Document B. Due to the massive economic interest of the South in continuing to keep the slaves, they viewed such sentiments in a negative light. In other words, abolitionism was essentially not in their best interest because their economy and bottom line depended on the practice of slavery.
Thirdly, the differences in economy and values spilled over into differential political beliefs, where the South no longer viewed the North as their countrymen and fellow citizens. The same was true for the North, illustrated by Document E on Southern chivalry. These forces manifested themselves in legal disputes, political fights, and a desire for secession from the United States by the South. In 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed by the U.S. Congress, which is an additional piece of specific historical evidence since it allowed the western states to be open for slavery. The dispute over the legislation was taken to the Supreme Court, which further confirmed the legality and constitutionality of the act. The Republican Party leading the North was highly displeased by these developments, which became even harsher advocates for abolitionism.
Fourthly, the Civil War itself was the shift from political disputes towards military combat, exemplified by Document D on secession and Document G on Abraham Lincoln’s speech. These are relevant since the election of Lincoln as the United States President in 1860 was the tipping point for the South, which decided to secede from the U.S. Lincoln made a serious threat against secession in 1861 when he increased the supply to the federal Fort Sumter. The war began with an attack from the South at the fort, initiating the Civil War.
Fifthly, the reasoning is that slavery was the key hot spot of the disagreement between the North and the South since it was rooted in their economic differences. The North was able to view the practice of slavery for what it always has been – a crime against humanity. The South was blinded by their economic dependence on slave labor, which is why they shaped their entire narrative around the legitimacy of slavery.
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In conclusion, the Civil War was the tipping point of the divide in society between the North and the South due to their different values, practices, economies, political beliefs, and stances on slavery. The economic difference led to the development of incompatible values on the two fronts. The legal and political conflicts reached a culmination in a desire for secession by the South in response to the presidential victory of Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Party.