- Wig-Wags Series Exploring Causes of the Civil War – Part I:
Introduction On December 9, 2007 I’d like to begin a new series
of posts on the much debated topic of the causes of the American
Civil war. Let today’s post serve as its introduction. I’ll
attempt in the series to address two questions. The first is
whether economic interests, political agitation, and the
cultural differences between North and South did more to bring
about the Civil War than the issue of slavery. The second is
whether the American Civil War could have been avoided. Was it
inevitable? Underlying both questions is the matter of causation
of the war. If there was a singular, definitive reason for it
the task would be easier. But deliberation over its cause has
continued for almost a century and a half and will no doubt
carry on into the future with little hope of achieving clear
answers. Scholar Kenneth M. Stampp summarized the challenges of
the quest well. [Image of Dred Scott right.] As one reflects
upon the problem of causation one