Q: What Caused The Civil War? 1,2 Agricultural vs. Industrial economies slave-based vs no slave-based - Economic 6,8 Hero or. Martyr personal opinion - Social 9,10,11 Difference in political views and candidates - Political In the year 1861, Fort Sumter was surrendered by the Union to the Confederacy, establishing the first battle of the Civil War. This battle led to the succession of several states, including South Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia, dividing the nation into conflicting factions. As the nation continued to divide, it became more clear that the Civil War was caused by disputed beliefs about slavery. Furthermore the Civil War was prompted by the difference in economic priority, political stances and candidates, and the public view of slavery. …show more content…
The perspective and culture of these differing sides made coexistence a difficult feat. This is made clear on occasions such as the Preston Brooks affair, in which Brooks, a Southerner, beat Senator Charles Sumner, a Northern abolitionist after his controversial speeches that happened to insult a well-known political relative of Brooks in 1856 (Doc 8). This is a classic example of the Southern Pride at the time, as by the South, Brooks was seen as a hero. Standing up for family, however violent it may be, was expected and even considered chivalrous. The North did not see this the same way, as they were horrified by the ordeal and sided with their own. A few years later in 1859, John Brown’s attempted attack on Harper’s ferry demonstrates similar divides (Doc 6). Northerners considered Brown a martyr after his execution, and was revered as an advocator of freedom. The South felt that their way of life was threatened and viewed him as an enemy. It is this distinct social divide, as well as loyalty to the each side that ultimately led to the collapse of the Union, and thus the Civil