What They Fought For: The Role of Slavery in The Civil War

The Civil War, fought between 1861 and 1865, was a defining moment in American history. The war, which resulted in the deaths of over 620,000 soldiers and civilians, was fought between the Northern and Southern states over a number of issues, including states' rights, economic differences, and, most notably, the issue of slavery. The role of slavery in the causes of the Civil War has been the subject of much debate and scholarly research. In his book What They Fought For, 1861-1865, James M. McPherson provides a detailed analysis of the role of slavery in the causes of the Civil War.

McPherson argues that slavery was the primary cause of the Civil War. He states, "Slavery was the root cause of the secession crisis, the trigger that set off the chain reaction of events that led to war." He argues that the Southern states seceded from the Union primarily because of their desire to protect and expand the institution of slavery. The Southern states saw slavery as a vital part of their economy and way of life, and they were willing to fight to preserve it. McPherson notes that the Southern states had long been unhappy with the federal government's attempts to limit the expansion of slavery into the territories, and they saw secession as a way to protect their economic interests.

The Southern states also saw slavery as a way to preserve their way of life and their political power. McPherson argues that the Southern states believed that slavery was necessary to maintain their social hierarchy, in which the white plantation owners were the dominant class. He notes that "Slavery was not only an economic institution, but also a social and political one." The Southern states were also concerned that the abolition of slavery would lead to a loss of political power, as the Northern states had a larger population and more representatives in Congress.

McPherson also notes that the Southern states were deeply committed to the idea of states' rights. They believed that the federal government should not be able to interfere in their affairs, and they saw slavery as a state issue that should be left to the individual states to decide. He states, "The question of slavery in the territories was the most important issue dividing North and South in the 1850s." This belief in states' rights led to a growing sense of alienation between the Southern and Northern states, and ultimately led to the outbreak of war.

However, McPherson also notes that the causes of the Civil War were not limited to the issue of slavery. He argues that there were other factors that contributed to the outbreak of war, including economic differences between the Northern and Southern states, and political differences between the two regions. The Northern states had a more industrialized economy and were more politically progressive, while the Southern states had an agrarian economy and were more conservative. He notes, "Economic and political differences between North and South were not only real, but also deep and growing." These differences led to a growing sense of mistrust and alienation between the two regions.

McPherson also notes that the Civil War was not solely a war between the North and the South. He argues that there were also significant divisions within the Northern and Southern states, and that these divisions played a significant role in the outbreak of war. For example, there were many Northern abolitionists who were deeply committed to the abolition of slavery, and who were willing to fight for their beliefs. Similarly, there were many Southern Unionists who were opposed to secession and who were willing to fight for the Union. He states, "The Civil War was not simply a conflict between North and South, but also a struggle within each section."

In conclusion, McPherson's book What They Fought For provides a detailed and nuanced analysis of the role of slavery in the causes of the Civil War. He argues that slavery was the primary cause of the war, but also notes that there were other factors that contributed to the outbreak of war. McPherson's book is an important contribution to the ongoing debate about the causes of the Civil War and provides valuable insight into the complex and multifaceted nature of the conflict. Through his extensive research and analysis, McPherson sheds light on the various motivations and beliefs of those who fought in the Civil War, and shows that slavery was at the heart of the conflict. He concludes, "Slavery was the central issue that divided North and South, and the war was fought to determine whether it would survive or not."