The Civil War, fought between 1861 and 1865, was a defining moment in American history. The war, which resulted in the deaths of more than 620,000 soldiers and civilians, pitted Northern and Southern states against each other over a number of issues, including states' rights, economic differences, and, most notably, the question of slavery. The role of slavery in the causes of the Civil War has been the subject of much debate and academic 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. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay. 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 the war. » He argues that the Southern states seceded from the Union primarily because of their desire to protect and expand the institution of slavery. Southern states viewed 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 viewed secession as a way to protect their economic interests. Southern states also viewed slavery as a way to preserve their economic interests. their way of life and their political power. McPherson argues that Southern states believed slavery was necessary to maintain their social hierarchy, in which white plantation owners were the dominant class. He notes that “slavery was not only an economic institution, but also a social and political one.” Southern states also feared that the abolition of slavery would result in a loss of political power, as Northern states had larger populations and more representatives in Congress. McPherson also notes that the Southern states were deeply committed to the idea of ​​legal rights. They believed that the federal government should not be able to interfere in their affairs and viewed slavery as a state issue that should be left for each state to decide. He states: "The question of slavery in the territories was the most important issue dividing the 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 other factors contributed to the outbreak of war, including economic differences between the Northern and Southern states, as well as political differences between the two regions. Northern states had a more industrialized economy and were more politically progressive, while Southern states had an agrarian economy and were more conservative. He notes: “The economic and political differences between the North and the South were not only real, but also deep and growing. » These differences have led to a growing sense of distrust 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 in."