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Civil War

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The American Civil War marked the darkest stage in the country’s history. The war pitted the Confederate South against the Union of the United States. It lasted from 1861-1865 and led to the death of over 600000 people and left untold destruction especially in the Southern States. The war erupted as a result of the sharp differences that existed between the South Confederate states and the Northern states. Efforts to reconcile the two sides failed and a full scale war ensued that changed the social-political landscape of the United States towards the end of the 19th century.
The major cause of the Civil War was the sharp opinions exhibited by both sides concerning the abolition of slavery. In the Northern states there was growing sympathy towards the abolition movement. This was spearheaded by religious leaders who deemed slavery as immoral and inhuman. Several publications such as: Uncle Tom’s Cabin, John Browns Raid and Dred Scott Case highlighted the negative and inhumane treatment of slaves. This articles increased support for the abolition of slavery in the North. However, majority of the rich slave owners had massive plantations in the Southern states and benefited immensely form slave trade. The Southern states vehemently opposed abolition and went to war in order to safeguard their economic interests which streamed from a lucrative salve trade.
The fight against proponents and opponents of slavery was heightened with the enactment of a series of laws. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 fueled hatred and animosity between the two regions. The law created slave free states that were formed due to the Westward expansion. The Southerners rejected the law that resulted in years of political feuds. The Compromise of 1850 was set up so as to balance the contrasting interests that existed over the prohibition of slavery in newly formed states. The Kansas-Nebraska Act

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