Page "American Civil War" Paragraph 6

The causes of the Civil War were complex, and have been controversial since the war began.

The issue has been further complicated by historical revisionists, who have tried to improve the image of the South by lessening the role of slavery.

Slavery was the central source of escalating political tension in the 1850s.

The Republican Party was determined to prevent any spread of slavery, and many Southern leaders had threatened secession if the Republican candidate, Lincoln, won the 1860 election.

Following Lincoln's victory, many Southern whites felt that disunion had become their only option.