Part I – Causes of the War

Many factors contributed to the coming of the War of 1861-1865. The first section of the book (Chapters 1-11) examines several of the most crucial. We have broken them out into separate chapters (or groups of chapters), each containing its own chronological progression of events from the beginning, in some cases before the founding of America, to the brink of war.

The causes we explore include the burgeoning spirit of nationalism that turned the support of many Americans away from smaller, limited-government states to that of a larger, consolidated nation with a powerful central government. Also, the distinct regional identities that flowered, the differing visions Americans held for what their government--and country--should be, and where the ultimate authority for both should lie.

Other chapters cover conflicts over economics, including the volatile tariff issue, slavery--what it was and wasn’t, and what Americans believed and did not believe regarding it--and the differing religious and worldview perspectives held North and South. Part 1 concludes with “The Final Hours,” which chronicles the fever of events immediately preceding the War.

Part I Highlights

• Nationalism, regionalism, and rationalism
• States’ rights-Secession
• The tariff and economics
• States’ rights-Nullification
• Slavery
• Southern slavery as it was
• Religion and worldviews
• Final hours of peace

Ben: Illustration—CH06.01.tif