Causes of the Civil War
Aligned to C3.D2.His — C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.
What this lesson teaches
Deep divisions over slavery, states' rights, and economic differences between North and South grew until secession and war (1861–1865). Reconstruction followed to rebuild and redefine rights.
Worked example
The South's economy relied on enslaved labor while the North industrialized; disputes over slavery in new states (e.g., the Missouri and 1850 Compromises) escalated to secession.
Practice questions
- Name two causes of the Civil War.
- How did Northern and Southern economies differ?
- What did Reconstruction try to accomplish?
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Causas de la Guerra Civil
Profundas divisiones en torno a la esclavitud, los derechos de los estados y las diferencias económicas entre el Norte y el Sur se fueron agravando hasta desembocar en la secesión y la guerra (1861–1865). Después vino la Reconstrucción para reedificar el país y redefinir los derechos.
Ejemplo: La economía del Sur dependía del trabajo esclavizado, mientras que el Norte se industrializaba; los conflictos por la esclavitud en los nuevos estados (como los Compromisos de Missouri y de 1850) escalaron hasta la secesión.
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