Civil War 10 Essay, Research Paper

Abraham Lincoln regarded by many as the greatest person in the United Stated history, was elected president on November 6, 1860. Lincoln felt it was undignified to campaign actively, but his supporters more than made up for what he didn t do. Lincoln had never held a prominent national office, he had moderate views on the slavery question and had no bitter enemies during the elections. While on the other hand, Senator William H. Seward had the strongest support in the beginning but it eventually decreased throughout the election. He also had many enemies. Senator Salmon P. Chase didn t even have the support of his own state at the time. Which therefore leaves Abraham Lincoln as the most eligible candidate.

Although Lincoln s first priority was to save and maintain the Union together, ironically, he was a major reason why the south seceded. Even during the month before Lincoln s inaugurations, many southern leaders threatened to withdraw their states from the Union if Lincoln were to win the election. By December of 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede. Five other states; Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana-followed in January 1861. In the end eleven states fought for the confederacy. They were the above six states along with; Arkansas, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Twenty-three states fought for the Union.

The Civil war also known as the War of Secession claimed more American lives than any other war in history. the cause of the Civil War has long been debated by historians. Most agree that the war had a number of causes. Lincoln once said …. He who would be no slave must consent to have no slave. Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves and under a just God, cannot long retain it. There s no doubt that the issue of slavery was an element that lead to the Civil War. Along with the sectional division between the North and South which included, the differences in economies, ideals and ways of life. There were also problems with the federal government and the states over what rights and powers the state possessed. The sectional division was mostly formed by the geographical differences. The South had a more rural way of life supported by an agricultural economy based on slaves. And the North greatly depended on trade. These geographical elements had a great deal to do with who would win the war. Since the North wasn t appropriate for agriculture, it flourished in industries and trade making it stronger in economy.

By the time of the war, this was even more true. Government purchases for military needs helped the North s economy to boom. The North also started to recruit blacks much sooner than the South. Not only that, the Union had a larger population. Therefore having more soldiers which quickly out numbered the confederate states. They also had more factories and a larger railroad network to transport them. The South also had their advantages more people from the South knew how to fire rifles and ride horses. Their great military leaders such as Roger E. Lee, were of great help. but what really helped them was the determination for winning the war and saving their way of life, and homeland.

Despite the advantages the South had, they eventually surrendered. After much determination from both sides, victory was gained by the Union. The four year war left families torn apart and great destruction in all aspects. But it was necessary for the Union to be restored. The war s greatest benefit was the abolishment of slavery and the path it created for the New Nation to global and international power.