Unquestionably, the abolition of slavery played an important role in the Civil War during the Lincoln Administration; but the question is whether the liberation of the Africans was the main aim of this war, or if this purpose just served as one single step on the way to complete a mission of higher importance: to gain the power over the Southern states of America and to force the union of America. Reasoning in respect of this controversial issue proceeds with an introductory section which gives a brief survey of important events of the past, to provide a better understanding of the circumstances which gave rise to the struggles of the Civil War.
The second part of this essay concentrates on arguments which demonstrate why America did not have any special reasons to start a war on the basis of economic aims and the third part consists of several arguments which support the idea that the main aim of the Civil War was the preservation of the American Union rather than the abolition of slavery.
At the end, there will be a short summary of the main arguments and there will be a final conclusion.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Importance of Slavery
- The Economic Disparity Between North and South
- The Economic Argument against a War Based on Economic Reasons
- The Argument for Preserving the Union as the Main Goal
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay examines the motivations behind the American Civil War, specifically exploring whether the abolition of slavery was the primary goal or if the preservation of the Union was the driving force. It aims to analyze the economic and social factors that contributed to the conflict and ultimately led to the war. The key themes explored in this essay are:- The history of slavery in America and its economic and social impact
- The growing economic disparity between the North and South
- The political tensions surrounding slavery and states' rights
- The role of Abraham Lincoln and his administration in the outbreak of the war
- The economic independence of the North and its impact on the war effort
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This section provides a brief overview of the history of slavery in America, beginning with the arrival of the first African slaves in 1619. It explains how slavery became an integral part of the Southern economy, particularly in the cultivation of cash crops like tobacco, rice, and indigo.
- The Importance of Slavery: This section discusses the growing importance of slavery in the South, particularly in the context of the expanding cotton industry. It also highlights the social and ideological justifications used to defend slavery, such as the belief in the inferiority of the black population.
- The Economic Disparity Between North and South: This section explores the growing economic disparity between the North and South, emphasizing the North's industrial development and its dependence on financial and economic services. In contrast, the South remained largely agrarian, heavily reliant on slave labor for its agricultural output.
- The Economic Argument against a War Based on Economic Reasons: This section presents arguments against the idea that the North went to war for economic reasons. It points to the North's economic independence from the South, citing the North's dominance in manufacturing, capital investment, and workforce.
- The Argument for Preserving the Union as the Main Goal: This section argues that the primary goal of the Civil War was the preservation of the Union rather than the abolition of slavery. It highlights the political tensions surrounding slavery and states' rights, emphasizing the South's resentment of Northern policies and its belief that its rights were being violated.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary keywords and focus topics of this essay include the American Civil War, slavery, abolition, economic disparity, North vs. South, states' rights, Abraham Lincoln, Union preservation, and the Industrial Revolution. The essay delves into the historical context of slavery and its impact on the American economy and society, exploring the political tensions that led to the outbreak of the war.- Arbeit zitieren
- Mareike Rolef (Autor:in), 2004, The Civil War - A social or an economic decision, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/117700
