Pre-Civil War Period

Abstract

The research discusses the era before the Civil War in America and identifies the significant causes that led to the war. Furthermore, the research also discusses the political and social issues such as freedom, inequality, racism and discrimination with Native Americans and African Americans along with issues pertaining to slavery. In addition, the research also discusses the role of literature and how it incorporated issues of victimization and discrimination of the Native and African Americans.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Introduction1

Discussion1

Prevailing Conditions in America1

Causes of War/ Conflict2

Consequences/Effects3

Literature about the Pre-Civil War Era4

Conclusion6

References7

Pre-Civil War Period

Introduction

It is very hard to find a country in the world that has a history without bloodshed and conflicts among its inhabitants. However, these conflicts do not arise without a reason. In most instances, what instigates and prompts a subject to retaliate is either the constant suppression or injustices prevailing in the society. It is a general belief in science that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. In the same way, there are events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something brutal and unpleasant. Unfortunately, if we study American history carefully, we may analyze it is also full of the events that ascertained such suppression and injustices, which eventually led to the civil wars.

Discussion

Prevailing Conditions in America

The main causes were a conflict between economic and social patterns. The southern part of the economy depends heavily on cotton and slavery while the northern part was more inclined to industry rather than agriculture. This disparity between the two set up a significant difference in economic attitudes. The battle between Slave and Non-Slave proponents was the second cause of civil war. As America expands, new states admitted to the union and the question of whether would be slave or free arises, would allow the states to use popular sovereignty to determine whether they would be free or slaved (Baym, 2008). Other causes of civil war were States versus Federal rights, Growth of the Abolition Movement, The election of Abraham Lincoln, Two Regions on Separate Paths, Slavery in the Territories, Abolitionism. The African-Americans were always left out and excluded from not only the finest jobs and diplomatic representation, but also their children could not acquire the quality education from prestigious educational institutes. The treatment given, to African Americans of 19th century was that of slaves (McPherson, 2002). The whites would have all the privileges; whereas the African Americans were alienated from the various necessities of a living. By the passage of time, this treatment was becoming unendurable to not only to the African American section of society, but also to those people who had dreamt of America as a living paradise, where everyone would be treated equally, and unity and conformity will prevail in the society (Goodheart, 2011).

Causes of War/ Conflict

One of the major causes of the initiation of civil war in America, which started in 1861 and lasted till 1865, was the ongoing suppression and slaveholding of the African ...