What role did slavery play in the events leading up to the Civil War?

Slavery was one of the main issues of contention leading up to the Civil War, profoundly influencing political, economic, and social dynamics in the United States. The institution of slavery created a stark division between the Northern and Southern states, where the North generally sought to limit or abolish slavery, while the South aimed to preserve it as an integral part of their agricultural economy and way of life.

This tension escalated over several key events, such as the Missouri Compromise, the Compromise of 1850, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act, all of which attempted to address the issue of slavery's expansion into new territories and states. These events reflected the growing polarization around the issue, leading to the formation of abolitionist movements in the North and the strengthening of pro-slavery ideologies in the South.

Additionally, the moral arguments against slavery gained traction through literature, speeches, and the activities of abolitionists, further intensifying the debate. When Abraham Lincoln was elected president in 1860, his anti-slavery platform was viewed as a direct threat by many in the South, ultimately leading to the secession of several Southern states from the Union and the onset of the Civil War.

Understanding slavery as a central issue illustrating the divergent