The Cause Of The Mexican-American Civil War

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Between the years of 1844 and 1861 several events happened that could be linked to the cause of the War Between the States. The cause of the war can be a controversial topic because there is not one specific cause that led to the war. There are many causes to the parting of the Union that are argued by historians constantly. The most common cause that various people think of when the topic arises is slavery. Although this is a major cause of the war, it is definitely not the only one and not the chief reason behind the war. Many other reasons include the Mexican-American War, states’ rights, the Dred Scott case, and numerous others that are not usually thought of. In his article “Annexation” in United States Magazine and Democratic Review …show more content…
The states wished to take slavery to the west while the federal government thought this was a bad idea. The states were led to believe they were being refused of power from the federal government. This is where we can begin to see the split between the north and south in the union. Many northerners did not want to abolish slavery. However, they were against it being expanded to the regions toward the west. David Wilmot, supporter of the Wilmot Proviso, was completely against the expansion of slavery in the west. However, he knew the question that needed to be answered. Should the land obtained from the Mexican-American War be free? (Document 4) Finally it was decided that the newer territories/states in the west were able to decide for themselves what they were to be, slave or free, by popular sovereignty. (Document 5) When Kansas and Nebraska were a part of the territories, due to Stephen A. Douglas, they were also given the ability to decide where they stand by popular sovereignty. (Document 6). Again, these ideas brought along a divide within the union. As the issue of expanding slavery was never really solved, the morality of slavery itself was starting to be questioned, specifically by the northerners. In 1857, the Dred Scott decision stated that no person with African blood could become a U.S. citizen. By denying citizenship to the slaves, they were considered property. This idea soon changed when Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin became a well-known book throughout the north. This book helped northerners to realize the severity of slavery and to act upon it. Soon abolitionists took over the north and helped to fight the war for the
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