An Account for the Outbreak of the American Civil War

The American Civil War one can argue was one of the major turning points in American History. In one hand it led to many Americans loosing their lives being uprooted, but on the other it led to American states all being united. Although many argue that the Union was very fragile and this fragility was the reason why that the American Civil War occurred.

One of the major problems that the Union was encountering was the issue of slavery. Northern states viewed the Southern states as being inhumane as they participated in this cruel and vile activity. The Southern states argued that the Northern states had no right to challenge their way of life. Ownership of slaves in the south was often viewed as culturally and socially acceptable.

Many slave owners were portrayed as powerful members of society according to the number of slaves they possessed. The more slaves owned by plantation owners would equate to them as being viewed as politically affluent members of Southern society. Plantation owners arguably were solely responsible for driving the Southern economy. This was due to the huge profits to be made in the cultivation of cotton. They argued that they had the rights to own property (slaves), and should not be questioned. The origins of the Civil War one can argue began as far back as 1819.

In 1819 there were an equal number of slave and non slave states eleven each. ‘Representative James Tallmadge Jr …introduced a resolution prohibiting the further introduction of slaves into Missouri…, providing freedom at age of twenty-five for those born after the territory’s admission as a state.’ (Tindall & Shi, 1999, 422). The south vigorously denied these demands. Alarmed, the South states sought help from the Senate. The Senate sided with Missouri and demanded that a resolution be drawn up.

Henry Clay drew up “Second Missouri Compromise”. This consisted of the State of Missouri being allowed slaves. An invisible line was drawn up geographically thirty six degrees and thirty minutes below you were allowed to own slaves. Elsewhere it was illegal to possess slaves. One can argue that the North were reluctant in conceding Missouri as the south would have had more political advantage. Henry Clay’s compromise ceased the debate over slavery as both north and south were happy. Northern states were hoping that the issue of slavery would disappear itself. Arguably one can argue it was in part due to the 1808 ban on the Importation of Slaves Act.