Posted by history-education.org Posted in UncategorizedTags:abraham-lincoln, civil-war, history, politics, slaveryEditThe Civil War: What It Was Really About
The Civil War was one of the most important—and painful—moments in American history. Fought from 1861 to 1865, it was a war between the North (the Union) and the South (the Confederacy). It was a war over the future of the United States—and whether the country would continue to allow the cruel system of slavery.
What Was the Civil War About?
The main cause of the Civil War was slavery. Southern states built their economy on plantations worked by enslaved Black people. These men, women, and children were treated as property, bought and sold, and forced to work without freedom or pay.
Southern leaders said slavery was their right—and they were willing to fight a war to keep it.
Let’s be clear: the Confederacy didn’t just want “states’ rights.” They wanted the right to own people. And they said so in their own words.
What Did Southern Leaders Actually Say?
When South Carolina left the United States, its leaders wrote:
“A geographical line has been drawn across the Union, and all the States north of that line have united in the election of a man [Lincoln] to the high office of President of the United States whose opinions and purposes are hostile to slavery.”
— South Carolina Declaration of Secession, 1860
The Vice President of the Confederacy, Alexander H. Stephens, made it even more clear:
“Our new government is founded upon… the great truth that the (African American- he actually used another word, I won’t include) is not equal to the white man; that slavery—subordination to the superior race—is his natural and normal condition.”
— Cornerstone Speech, 1861
This wasn’t about freedom. It was about keeping Black people in chains.
Why the War Started
When Abraham Lincoln was elected president in 1860, Southern states feared he would stop slavery from spreading. Eleven of them chose to secede—or break away—from the United States and form their own country.
The war began in 1861 when Confederate soldiers attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina.
The North fought to save the Union. But as the war went on, it became more than that—it became a war to end slavery.
In 1863, Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared enslaved people in Confederate states to be free. It didn’t free everyone immediately, but it showed that the war was now a fight for justice.
Why This Still Matters
The Civil War ended in 1865 with a Union victory and the end of slavery. But racism didn’t disappear—and many of the ideas the Confederacy stood for are still around today.
Understanding the truth about the war helps us stand up for equality and justice. It helps us be honest about our past, so we can build a better future.
Comprehension Questions
1. What was the main cause of the Civil War?
A. Taxes
B. Slavery
C. Trade disagreements
D. Immigration
2. What did Alexander H. Stephens say about slavery in his Cornerstone Speech?
A. He said all people are equal.
B. He supported the idea that Black people should be free.
C. He said slavery was based on a “great truth” that Black people were inferior.
D. He never mentioned slavery.
3. What happened when Abraham Lincoln was elected president?
A. The South celebrated.
B. Southern states seceded from the Union.
C. Slavery was immediately abolished.
D. The Civil War ended.
4. Why is it important to study the Civil War today?
A. To memorize dates
B. To honor the Confederacy
C. To understand the fight for justice and equality
D. To learn about European politics
5. What do the quotes from Southern leaders reveal about the Confederacy’s beliefs?
A. They believed in fairness for all people.
B. They supported equal rights.
C. They believed slavery was necessary and Black people were inferior.
D. They didn’t have a clear opinion.
6. Why do you think some people today still try to say the Civil War wasn’t about slavery? What does the evidence show?
7. The article includes quotes from Southern leaders that openly defend slavery. How does seeing their own words affect your understanding of the Civil War?
8. What does real patriotism look like to you? Can criticizing injustice be a patriotic act? Why or why not?
9. Imagine you lived in the U.S. during the 1860s. What side of the Civil War would you have supported—and why?
10. How does learning about the Civil War help us understand racism and inequality today? Give examples.
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