What was one significant issue that contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War?

The outbreak of the Civil War in the United States was significantly influenced by the issue of slavery. This contentious topic created deep divisions between the Northern states, where slavery was largely abolished or viewed as morally unacceptable, and the Southern states, where slavery was integral to the economy and social structure. The debate over whether new territories and states admitted to the Union should permit slavery exacerbated tensions, leading to confrontations like "Bleeding Kansas" and the Dred Scott decision.

The moral implications, economic interests, and political power struggles related to slavery galvanized factions on both sides, making it a central issue in the lead-up to the Civil War. The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, who opposed the expansion of slavery, led Southern states to secede, directly paving the way for conflict. While factors such as taxes, territorial expansion, and immigration were indeed present during this period, they did not ignite conflict to the same extent as the divisive and polarizing issue of slavery did, ultimately making it the pivotal cause of the Civil War.