What was the primary cause of the American Civil War?

The primary cause of the American Civil War centers on the issue of slavery and the broader context of states' rights. During the antebellum period, slavery became increasingly controversial, particularly as it related to the rights of states to make decisions regarding their own laws and social systems. The Southern states, which relied heavily on slave labor for their agricultural economy, viewed any threat to slavery as a direct threat to their autonomy and way of life.

The tension escalated as new territories were added to the United States and debates emerged over whether these areas would be free or slave states. This contention ignited larger conflicts regarding the balance of power between slave and free states, leading to significant events such as the Missouri Compromise, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and intense political debates culminating in the formation of the Confederacy.

While economic tensions and issues surrounding wealth distribution, as well as desires for westward expansion, were certainly factors that contributed to the societal divides, they were largely interconnected with the central issue of slavery. Economic disparities often stemmed from the differences in societal structure between the industrial North and the agrarian South, but the fundamental dispute was rooted in how the nation would address the institution of slavery and the rights of states to govern themselves in relation to