There were several causes of the American Civil War, among them being the argument regarding slavery, the controversy over state's rights and the tariff, and the illegal secession of South Carolina and the other confederate states. The North's cause was justified because slavery was cruel and went against the liberties defended in the Declaration of Independence, the tariff was passed democratically, South Carolina and the other confederate states could have seceded democratically, and lastly, because the South fired the first shots of the war.

The argument regarding slavery was one of the biggest issues of the war. Slavery was a cruel establishment, mainly because it relied on abuse and vulnerability.

There were many barbaric slave owners. One such man was Dr. Richard Eppes of Virginia. He rationalized many reasons to whip his slaves, even though he was a religious Episcopalian. He whipped his slave William for leaving the plantation without a pass. He whipped George "for not brining over milk for my coffee, being compelled to take it without." He flogged Dick for stealing sugar and telling a lie. He ordered Miles whipped for letting cows onto the cornfield. He "corre

Another cruelty of slavery was that slaves had no liberties. Their lot in clothing, food, and housing depended on the good will of the people who owned them (Catton 7).

Masters such as Eppes displayed the quintessence of the evils of slavery. He believed that the degradation and suffering of his slaves was justified.

Additionally, the confederate states had at one time signed the constitution. This constitution clearly stated that the federal government could issue tariffs.

Because the South failed to resolve its grievances in a democratic manner, they were at fault for the Civil War.

John Calhoun said that the South had the right to declare any federal law null and void (Calhoun, John: Views on Nullification/Secession). However, it was the South itself who supported such a tariff to begin with! This was very hypocritical of the South. How could a state rebel against a law that it supported in the first place?

The thought of being sent away from his family could, obviously, cause a slave to experience great emotional trauma. Additionally, it led to the break down of the family unit. One sees the effects of this breakdown in the African-American community even today.

Owning slaves was the "American Dream" of Southerners at the time. A desire such as this at the expense of blacks bred prejudice and prolonged an obsolete establishment. Owning slaves was considered a status symbol.

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1679
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)