Uprooted from
heritage lands, in Africa, and moved into a whole new world, in chains and
shackles, slavery was one of many heinous occurrences in American history. The
journey across the Atlantic was one based upon the survival of the fittest
which was proved by the overboard-throwing of weak and sick slaves. Blessed
before boarding ironically named slave ships such as Baltimore Clippers, Kabenda
Panthers, The Wanderer, etc., you would think future NBA or NFL franchises were
being born. In
fact, other than the inhumane treatment of Native Americans, slavery was the
most heinous crime committed in America. From the very first slave-ship,
Desire, which arrived in the 17th century, in Jamestown, Virginia,
the southern states have always been known for their championed role in slavery.
In the south, agriculture was the main sources of livelihood; cotton and
tobacco became the main cash crops. With this profitability in cotton and
tobacco plantations, many people flocked into the venture which in-turn
required numerous manpower. The southern states have always championed slavery
because it became an economic boost for many southern farmers. They finally had
an opportunity to purchase manpower to carry-out all laborious tasks for as
long as it was needed. Meanwhile, the Northern states thrived in the industrial
sector. Due to the Industrial sector of work, success in the North was mainly dependent
upon work ethics and innovation. This divide between the two societies formed a
major economic and social attitude in America. It also had a spillover into the
politics of the land. The American Civil was caused by the economic and
social differences between the North and the South, States versus Federal
rights, and the election of Abraham Lincoln.
The
American Civil War was a war between states in the American Union. It occurred from
1861 to 1865 and it contributed to an estimated casualty of 618, 000. One of
the key issues in the sectional conflict leading to the American Civil
War was the economic and social differences between Northern and Southern
states. The Southern states used slavery as the main tool to grow their economy
and there were no moral obstacles against the concept of slave workers. They
claimed that the cheap labor helped to create more avenues for innovation and a
source of living. Unlike the Southerners, the Northerners were based upon the
industrial revolution. Their economic prosperity depended upon the growth of
factories and industries, therefore it demanded an equal amount of work from
each and every person. This industrial lifestyle evolved the society as people
of different races, cultures and classes had to work together. Every region in
the Union had their own definition of success and economic progress, but for
the Northern states slavery stood as an inhibitor to growth and urbanization.
They believed that slavery degraded labor and contributed to economic backwards
which could still be seen in many southern states today. Although slavery was a
pivotal factor in the Civil War, but the decision by the North to stage war against
slavery was not necessarily motivated by the need to overcome racism. Rather,
it was as a result of the need for a national, economic growth and slavery was
a hindrance to such innovation. This sort of divided beliefs created numerous
friction which contributed to sectional conflict leading to the American Civil
War.
Secondly,
another key issue in the sectional conflict leading to the American Civil War
were the States versus federal rights. Following the Revolutionary War and
freedom from Great Britain, America became a divided entity; there were people
who believed in a unified central power, while others believed in separate powers.
Such divided notion diluted the initial platform of unity which motivated the
fight for freedom. The first organized form of government in the United States
was created under the conclaves of the Articles of Confederation. Back then,
there were only thirteen states which went ahead to form an unattached confederation
which lacked a strong federal government. People in the Southern states loved
the idea of autonomy and they basked in their authority, while people in the
North saw the need for a unified umbrella to cover every state in order to
prevent social unrests or any form of invasion. To solve this problem, some of
the Founding father, excluding Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry who were avid
supporters of states being separate from federalism. When the U.S. constitution
was signed into law, the Southern states felt as though the Northerners took
away their rights without their consent so therefore many notable Southerners
such as Robert Lee, commanded their states towards secession and they fought fervently
for the nullification of the Constitution and the idea of a centralized
government.
Thirdly,
the election of Abraham Lincoln into the White House was another key issue in
the sectional conflict leading to the American Civil War. An outspoken
supporter for the abolishment of slavery, President Lincoln stood as a hindrance
to the Southern States because they feared that he would outlaw slavery. He was
viewed as a threat to the South. For the Southerners, the abolishment of
slavery in America would bring economic failure for Southern states who relied
on slave labor as their main financial footing. With the constitution in place,
the federal government had total authority as to how to direct the country. Southerners
did not agree with Lincoln’s ideas so therefore they broke out and started their
own nation which was called, “Confederate States of America.” These states were
made up of Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, Kentucky,
Arkansas and Missouri. Their premise was based upon the notion that President
Lincoln was in support of the interest of Northern Merchants whom they believed
had aims at bringing an end to slave-labor and establishing a collective
economic expansion at the expense of their slave-invested tobacco and cotton
plantations.
All
in all, the American Civil War was poised by many philosophies which rose as a
result of difference in beliefs and morals. The Northerners wanted a collective
and successful America, while the Southerners wanted a separated and laborious America
which was anchored upon Slavery. Can you imagine what America would have been,
if slavery was still the order of the day and everybody worked in farms or
swamps? This is certainly not aimed at bashing the agricultural sector of this
great nation, rather it goes to show that it was the rise of the Industrial
sector that paved way for innovation and rapid economic growth in the United States
of America.
Sources:
Allen, Jewett. “Slavery in the South: A state-by-state
history.”
Cash, Wilbur. “The Mind of the South.” Alfred A. Knopf
Publishing House. NY: 1941.
The American Civil War Center. http://www.tredegar.org/caused-civil-war.aspx
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