AboutJoshua Patty Expertise Abraham Lincoln; American Civil War; 19th Century American History; and American Religious History are all expert categories. Can also answer most questions about US Presidents; general American History; American government structure. Lifelong student of American history, especially Abraham Lincoln
Experience Lifelong student of American history, with coursework in American history and government at the college and graduate level.
Expert: Joshua Patty Date: 6/1/2008 Subject: Justification of the Civil War
Question Mr. Patty, I have heard that the Civil War was an argument over the South's state
rights but also argued that it was over slavery. Was it just a war of 'northern
aggression' or was slavery and states rights the same fundamental argument?
Answer Michael,
I don't think I would agree with either part of your question. The Civil War was not simply a "war of northern aggression"; while there was perhaps some aggression on the part of the north, it was small in proportion to the other precipitating factors in the war.
I also wouldn't equate the arguments/rationale about slavery and states rights. Eventually, these two arguments were forcibly wrestled into a single argument (rather unsteadily), but they began as two distinct arguments decades before the Civil War. Arguments about state's rights nearly led South Carolina to secede in the 1830s -- for reasons that had virtually nothing to do with slavery. (If you are interested, you should look into the nullification crisis between Pres. Andrew Jackson and SC Gov. John C. Calhoun.)
It is appropriate to argue that the Civil War was MOSTLY caused because of the issue of slavery -- that is the strongest argument, in my mind. But like all wars, there was no single cause.
