Long term causes - Political
Stephen Douglas and Popular Sovereignty:
Stephen Douglas's idea of Popular Sovereignty was a big upset to national unity, causing people to divide and create individual unity.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act:
The Kansas-Nebraska Act spurred the reorganization of the country's political landscape; the bill created a wedge between the Democratic Party and resulted in the rise of a new political party, the Republican Party.
Lincoln-Douglas Debates:
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates caused controversy over slavery and whether or not its extinction was possible in all the states. In Lincoln's words: "a house divided against itself cannot stand," and whether slavery ought to be placed "in the course of extinction." While Lincoln proclaimed that compromises would no longer suffice because no middle ground existed, Douglas exhibited indifference to the institution, saying it threatened the very existence of northern "free" states. The Debates created a rift between the two, causing people to split to different sides.
Stephen Douglas's idea of Popular Sovereignty was a big upset to national unity, causing people to divide and create individual unity.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act:
The Kansas-Nebraska Act spurred the reorganization of the country's political landscape; the bill created a wedge between the Democratic Party and resulted in the rise of a new political party, the Republican Party.
Lincoln-Douglas Debates:
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates caused controversy over slavery and whether or not its extinction was possible in all the states. In Lincoln's words: "a house divided against itself cannot stand," and whether slavery ought to be placed "in the course of extinction." While Lincoln proclaimed that compromises would no longer suffice because no middle ground existed, Douglas exhibited indifference to the institution, saying it threatened the very existence of northern "free" states. The Debates created a rift between the two, causing people to split to different sides.
long term causes - economic
North and South Indifference On Slavery
Due to the fact that the North and South both had views on the concept of slavery and what to do about it, the economy was different for the two sides. While the North was shifting towards the Industrial Revolution, the South was still predominantly Agriculture and was still highly dependent on the sales of the worlds market. The North, unlike the South, was well on its way towards a commercial and manufacturing economy, which would have a direct effect on its war making ability. By 1860, 90% of the nation's manufacturing output came from the North.
Due to the fact that the North and South both had views on the concept of slavery and what to do about it, the economy was different for the two sides. While the North was shifting towards the Industrial Revolution, the South was still predominantly Agriculture and was still highly dependent on the sales of the worlds market. The North, unlike the South, was well on its way towards a commercial and manufacturing economy, which would have a direct effect on its war making ability. By 1860, 90% of the nation's manufacturing output came from the North.
Long term causes - social
Social Division Between the North and South
Due to the division of the North and South's views on Slavery, the different cultures between the two divided them. The North was more urbanized, diverse, developed, dynamic, etc, while the South was less developed, more rural, less urbanized, etc.
Uncle Tom's Cabin:
Uncle Tom's Cabin was a long term cause of the Civil War because of the affect it had on people. It appealed to their sense of justice and helped people understand the effect of slavery on people's families and to help readers empathize with the enslaved characters. The book definitely affected a lot of people and helped them rebel in their own way.
Due to the division of the North and South's views on Slavery, the different cultures between the two divided them. The North was more urbanized, diverse, developed, dynamic, etc, while the South was less developed, more rural, less urbanized, etc.
Uncle Tom's Cabin:
Uncle Tom's Cabin was a long term cause of the Civil War because of the affect it had on people. It appealed to their sense of justice and helped people understand the effect of slavery on people's families and to help readers empathize with the enslaved characters. The book definitely affected a lot of people and helped them rebel in their own way.