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preface
The American Civil War was one of the most important wars of the 19th century, lasting four years and causing heavy casualties and property damage.
The outbreak of the war, which stemmed from the existence of slavery in the South and opposition in the North, became one of the worst political crises in American history.
This thesis is divided into four parts: The Development of Slavery, Slavery and the North-South Schism, Slavery and the Outbreak of the Civil War, and the Role of Slavery in the Civil War.
This essay aims to explore how slavery led to the outbreak of the American Civil War, analyze the role of slavery in the Civil War, and the impact of slavery on American history.
I. The Development of Slavery
1. The origin of slavery
Slavery is an old system in human history, and the slave trade is one of the important reasons for the emergence of slavery.
Since ancient times, the slave trade has existed between various ancient civilizations, and with the expansion of European powers, the slave trade began to enter a large-scale stage.
In the 16th century, European colonies began to trade slaves to the populations of Africa and the Americas.
In the Americas, Europeans initially used Indians and European laborers, but due to insufficient population, they began to transport slaves to Africa, which marked the formation of slavery in the Americas.
In the United States, the origins of slavery can be traced back to the early 17th century, when the British brought African slaves to the Virginia colony for tobacco cultivation.
2. The development and expansion of slavery
In the American South, the development and expansion of slavery was largely due to the development of farming.
In the South, plantation owners believed that manual labor was the key to success in plantation, and slave labor was the best source of labor.
As a result, slavery was widely used in the South.
By the 18th and early 19th centuries, slavery had become central to the economy of the South, and Southern plantation owners bought slaves in large quantities to ensure their economic interests.
At the same time, northern industry also needed raw materials such as cotton from the south, so northern merchants also worked closely with southern plantation owners to promote the expansion of slavery.
In the 1930s, the United States experienced an economic crisis, which led to the bankruptcy and unemployment of many people.
To solve economic problems, southern politicians began to call for the extension of slavery to the western Xinjiang region in order to gain more land and labor.
This stance drew a backlash from Northern politicians and anti-slaveryists who believed that slavery was inhumane and would jeopardize American moral values.
This disagreement between the North and the South eventually became the trigger for the outbreak of the Civil War.
3. The economic impact of slavery
The economic impact of slavery was another important cause of the outbreak of the Civil War.
The development of slavery led to a high degree of cultivation in the South, but it also led to a high degree of dependence on the Southern economy.
Since the economy of the South was largely dependent on agricultural cultivation, which depended mainly on slave labour, the economy of the South was highly dependent on slavery.
However, with the development of northern industry, the north gradually broke away from dependence on agriculture and slavery and became an industrialized economy.
In addition, the northern government gradually supported manufacturing and commerce, which further promoted the industrialization process.
In contrast, Southern politicians were staunch supporters of slavery and firmly believed that slavery was at the heart of the South's economy.
This difference in economic development models between the North and the South led to competition and contradictions between the North and the South, and eventually led to the outbreak of the Civil War.
Slavery and the North-South Schism
1. The importance of slavery in the South
The development and expansion of slavery in the South promoted the high development of plantation in the South and became the core of the Southern economy.
Southern farming is dominated by the cultivation of crops such as cotton, tobacco, and sugar cane, which require a lot of labor.
Because of the sparse population of white immigrants in the South, slaves became the main source of labor in the South.
As a result, the economy of the South was highly dependent on slavery, and slaves became an important part of Southern society.
In addition, slavery also became a symbol of the superiority and status of white Southerners, further strengthening the South's adherence to and support for slavery.
2. Opposition to slavery in the North
In contrast, slavery was strongly opposed in the North.
The development of the northern economy mainly depends on manufacturing and commerce, not agricultural plantation.
The development of northern industry also freed the north from the dependence of slavery, and the economic status of slavery in the north was gradually marginalized.
In addition, abolitionists and social movements in the North strongly opposed slavery, which they considered inhumane and incompatible with American values.
These abolitionists formed a powerful political force in the northern states, further exacerbating the divisions and contradictions between the north and the south.
3. The impact of slavery on the political divide between North and South
The impact of slavery on the political differences between the North and the South was reflected in the differences and contradictions between the North and the South on the issue of slavery.
Southern politicians and whites believed that slavery was central to the economy and society of the South and staunchly supported it.
The North, on the other hand, strongly opposed slavery, arguing that it violated American values and human rights.
These differences and contradictions between the North and the South eventually led to the outbreak of the Civil War.
Slavery and the outbreak of the Civil War
1. Lincoln's election and the reaction of the South
In 1860, Lincoln was elected President of the United States, and he strongly opposed the expansion of slavery, which caused great discontent and panic in the South.
Southerners feared that Lincoln would abolish slavery, which would have a devastating impact on the economy and society of the South.
The leaders of the Southern states even announced that they would not recognize Lincoln's election and threatened to secede.
2. The separation of the southern states and the response of the north
Under pressure from the Southern states, in 1861, South Carolina took the lead in declaring its secession from the Union and formed the Confederate League.
Subsequently, other states seceded from the Union and joined the Confederate.
The northern government, on the other hand, insisted on preserving the integrity of the federation and considered the actions of the south to be unconstitutional.
The leaders of the northern states decided to use force to preserve the integrity of the Commonwealth and defend the authority of the State.
3. The causes of the outbreak of the Civil War and the role of slavery
The Civil War broke out for a complex reason, and slavery was only part of the cause.
However, slavery played an important role in the outbreak of the Civil War.
At the heart of the South's economy was plantation, which depended largely on slavery as its source of labor.
Southern whites believed that slavery was an important means of maintaining social stability and white superiority, so they firmly defended slavery.
The North, on the other hand, believed that slavery was contrary to American values and human rights, and they vigorously opposed the expansion of slavery.
These differences and contradictions between the North and the South eventually led to the outbreak of the Civil War.
In addition to slavery, there were other reasons for the outbreak of the Civil War.
For example, political, economic and cultural differences were also one of the reasons for the outbreak of the Civil War.
In addition, the economic and military power of the northern government is also one of the reasons why the south cannot compete with it.
However, slavery remained one of the root causes of the Civil War, as slavery was central to the social and economic organization of the South.
In the early stages of the war, the North's strategic goals were to restore the integrity of the Union and end slavery.
The goal of the South was to defend its country and slavery.
Although the armed forces of the South were prepared for many years, they were gradually disadvantaged in the war.
The economic and military power of the northern government soon surpassed that of the south.
In addition, the South faces internal divisions and resource shortages.
During the war, slavery in the South suffered severely.
The resources and lands of the Southern slave owners were seized by the Northern army, and the slaves were emancipated.
These changes have had a significant impact on the economies and societies of the South.
With the defeat of the South, slavery gradually disappeared in the South.
The Role of Slavery in the Civil War
1. The war significance of slavery
In the Civil War, slavery was one of the important resources contested by both sides.
The South relied on slavery for its economic and social organization, while the North strongly opposed slavery, believing that slavery was inconsistent with American values and the spirit of the Constitution.
Therefore, an important goal of the war was the emancipation of slaves and the abolition of slavery.
This goal became a noble moral goal in the North and a demon threatening its very existence in the South.
2. The impact of slavery on the Civil War
Slavery was the core issue of the Civil War and one of the causes of the war.
south
Fang's economic and social structure was closely linked to slavery, while the North strongly opposed slavery as a morally corrupt institution.
When Lincoln became president and sought to abolish slavery, the Southern states saw it as a violation of their rights, and they felt that the federal government could not interfere in the internal affairs of the states.
Over time, the political divide between the North and the South deepened, leading to the outbreak of the Civil War.
In the Civil War, slavery had a profound impact on both war camps.
The existence of slavery in the South led Southern societies to invest less in industry and manufacturing, and to focus most of their efforts on cultivation and cotton production.
This made the South's economy and industry relatively weak and unable to compete with the North, resulting in the South being at a disadvantage in the war.
In the North, the abolition of slavery became one of the main objectives of the war.
As the war progressed, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in the rebellious areas should be emancipated.
This declaration promoted opportunities for blacks to join the army and work for the North, while also helping to boost the morale of the people of the North.
The abolition of slavery also provided the North with more soldiers and workers, which increased the North's fighting power in the war.
3. The abolition of slavery after the Civil War
After the Civil War, the federal government passed three important laws to abolish slavery, including the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.
The 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in 1865, prohibited any form of forced labor and slavery, paving the way for the abolition of slavery.
In addition, the 14th Amendment, enacted in 1868, prohibited state governments from depriving anyone of their right to "life, liberty, or property" and guaranteed equal rights to all citizens.
Finally, the 15th Amendment, enacted in 1870, prohibited the denial of the right to vote on the basis of race, color, or prior slavery.
The enactment of these laws has been crucial to the reconstruction and integration of the South.
They ensured the abolition of slavery and the emancipation of blacks, and gave blacks citizenship and the right to vote.
However, these laws did not eliminate the racial problems and divisions left by slavery.
Much of the white South remained resentful and resistant to slavery and black equality, which led to later segregation and discrimination.
Author's point of view
The Civil War was one of the bloodiest and most destructive in U.S. history, lasting four years and resulting in more than 600,000 deaths.
The roots of this war were the economic dependence of the southern states on slavery and the different attitudes of the north and the south towards slavery.
The historical significance of slavery lies in the fact that it shows us the injustice and cruelty of human society.
Slavery not only deprived blacks of their freedom and dignity, but also created extreme inequality in society.
However, the abolition of slavery also testifies to the progress and development of human society.
The abolition of slavery was an important milestone in the development of human society towards greater justice and equality, and it also showed us the strength of human solidarity and struggle.
Bibliography:
"The Cause of the American Civil War: Slavery or States' Rights?" by James McPherson (Civil War History, 1996)
"The Political Economy of Slavery: Studies in the Economy and Society of the Slave South" edited by Eugene Genovese (Vintage Books, 1967)
"The Slave Power: The Free North and Southern Domination, 1780-1860" by Leonard L. Richards (Louisiana State University Press, 2000)
"Slavery and the American South" by William J. Cooper (Southern Illinois University Press, 2013)
"The Rise and Fall of the American Whig Party: Jacksonian Politics and the Onset of the Civil War" by Michael F. Holt (Oxford University Press, 1999)
"The Impending Crisis, 1848-1861" by David M. Potter (Harper Perennial, 2011)