The American Civil War Questions
1. What were the major events that immediately preceded the Civil War and how did each of them exacerbate the tensions between North and South? At what point do you think that war was inevitable? Explain your answer.
Industry versus Farming
By the mid and late 1800s, the northern states had moved their economies from farming to industry and a greater population lived in the major cities (Couttenier, 2012). The South had upheld a large-scale farming economy which majorly relied on the slave labor. While the South needed many slaves to sustain their farms, the North no longer needed them. The Northern states subscribed to the belief that slavery was evil.
The Rights of States
There was a heated debate on the division of powers between the states and the federal government (Couttenier, 2012). The constitution was written in the states and the Southerners felt that the federal government was exploiting them by denying them their powers and rights.
Bleeding Kansas
The government passed an Act in which the residents of Kansas were to vote to be either a free state or a slave state. There were numerous supporters of both sides which led to a fight. People were killed in the fight hence the name Bleeding Kansas (Couttenier, 2012). In 1861, Kansas was declared a free state.
The Election of Abraham Lincoln and Secession
Lincoln subscribed to the anti-slavery Republican Party. The Southerners felt that the newly elected president was against them (Couttenier, 2012). At this point the war was inevitable and no effort would change the fate. The Southern states wanted to depart from the union of the United States. They wanted to form a new country Confederate States of America. Lincoln sent troops to stop this decision. This was the point when the war began.
END OF PREVIEW 
OR
2. How did the Battle of Gettysburg and the Emancipation Proclamation affect the Civil War and what part did Generals Sherman and Grant play in bringing about a Union victory?
3. Slavery was a major issue that helped bring about the Civil War. Would you agree or disagree with that statement. Why or why not? Defend your answer. . Be sure to include a discussion of the role of Uncle Tom’s Cabin and the Dred Scott case.
4. Once independence was assured, the former colonists found the articles of Confederation to be inadequate in governing the new nation and they eventually turned to writing a constitution. Why? Include a discussion of problems with articles and why people like Madison and Hamilton wanted to move to a constitution.