Slavery as a Cause...

2.5.13
Slavery As A Cause…

         Although slavery was not the only cause of the Civil War, it was certainly a contributing factor. During the time leading up to the Civil War, many northern states began to view slavery as unjust.  One cause of this may be the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. For example, the Declaration influenced Vermont to abolish slavery in 1777 (see picture). Thus began the Abolition Movement. The goal of the Abolitionists was to insure that everyone, white or black, was free and equal. Obviously, the southern states were resolutely opposed to the Abolition Movement, and the northern states supported it. This created a sense of isolation of the southern states from the northern states. This was furthered by economic and social differences between the north and south. Together, among a few other factors, they eventually led up to the Civil War.

Sources:

http://americanhistory.about.com/od/civilwarmenu/a/cause_civil_war.htm

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/experience/freedom/history.html