The Coming Of The Civil War Has Been A Hotly Contested

The Coming Of The Civil War Has Been A Hotly Contest

The coming of the Civil War has been a hotly contested issue since the beginning of the conflict and continues to be debated by historians and the public alike. The causes of the Civil War are complex and multifaceted, involving economic, political, social, and moral dimensions. This essay explores the primary reasons leading to the outbreak of the Civil War, evaluates how well the selected films—"Amistad" (1997), "Gone with the Wind" (1939), and "12 Years a Slave" (2013)—present that argument, and assesses their historical accuracy in comparison with contemporary documents and scholarly interpretations.

Historical Causes of the Civil War

Fundamentally, the Civil War was precipitated by profound disagreements over slavery, states' rights, and economic differences between the North and South. As Michael Perman and Amy Murrell Taylor highlight in "Major Problems in the Civil War and Reconstruction," the expansion of slavery into new territories created tensions that fueled political conflicts, notably the controversies surrounding the Missouri Compromise, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the Dred Scott decision (Perman & Taylor, 2011, pp. 15-30). The economic dichotomy, with the industrializing North favoring tariffs and modernization, contrasted sharply with the agrarian South's reliance on slavery and cotton cultivation. These differences intensified sectionalism, prompting the Southern states to assert their sovereignty and eventually secede.

Political disagreements over the balance of power between federal authority and states' rights also played pivotal roles. As primary documents reveal, Southern leaders often justified secession on the grounds of protecting their constitutional rights and maintaining slavery as a "positive good" (Freeman’s Letter, 1861). Conversely, Northern voices emphasized preserving the Union and abolishing slavery, framing the conflict as a moral imperative. These conflicting visions of America’s future created an irreconcilable divide that culminated in war.

Analysis of Selected Films and Their Portrayals

"Amistad" (1997) devotes considerable attention to the moral and legal struggles surrounding slavery, focusing on the 1839 rebellion of enslaved Africans and their fight for freedom. The film underscores the abominable treatment of enslaved Africans, symbolizing the inhumanity of slavery. It offers a legal and moral argument against slavery, aligning with contemporary abolitionist sentiments and emphasizing the moral stakes of the conflict (Perman & Taylor, 2011, pp. 45-47).

"Gone with the Wind" (1939), on the other hand, romanticizes the Antebellum South, portraying slavery as a benevolent institution and emphasizing the noble antebellum lifestyle. The film’s portrayal reflects the Lost Cause narrative, which seeks to romanticize the Confederacy while downplaying the brutality of slavery and the motivations for secession. Its depiction aligns with Southern sympathies and was influenced by the socio-political context of its production, during the Jim Crow era (Genovese, 1978).

"12 Years a Slave" (2013) provides an unflinching depiction of slavery’s brutality, emphasizing the physical and psychological cruelty Africans endured. The film presents slavery as fundamentally in conflict with American ideals of liberty and human rights, aligning with abolitionist interpretations. It illustrates the deep moral divide and the dehumanization that fueled the abolition movement (McPherson, 2014).

Comparison and Contrast of Arguments

The films differ notably in their portrayal of slavery and the Civil War’s causes. "Amistad" emphasizes the moral crisis and the fight against slavery’s injustice, reflecting contemporary abolitionist viewpoints. "Gone with the Wind" offers a romanticized and sympathetic view of the Confederate South, neglecting the central issue of slavery’s brutality. "12 Years a Slave" aligns with the abolitionist narrative, portraying slavery as a moral outrage that demanded end. These portrayals reflect their production contexts and intended audiences, shaping their narratives accordingly.

The historical documents reveal a more complex picture. For example, Southern secession papers justify their actions on states’ rights and constitutional grounds, often minimizing slavery’s central role (Perman & Taylor, 2011, pp. 37-39). Conversely, abolitionist writings emphasize slavery’s evil, consistent with "12 Years a Slave." The discrepancies demonstrate that films often simplify or romanticize history to serve specific ideological purposes, which affects their accuracy.

Assessment of Historical Accuracy

While "Amistad" and "12 Years a Slave" accurately depict slavery’s inhumanity and the moral conflicts surrounding it, "Gone with the Wind" distorts history by romanticizing the Confederacy and minimizing slavery’s brutality. The accuracy of each film must be understood within its context: the former films aim to inform and expose, aligning more closely with primary documents and scholarly consensus, whereas the latter reflects a Southern nostalgia that distorts facts for emotional and political effect (Genovese, 1978).

In conclusion, the causes of the Civil War are best understood as rooted in the conflict over slavery, states’ rights, and economic differences. Films like "Amistad" and "12 Years a Slave" effectively communicate the moral imperatives and human toll of slavery, aligning with primary documents that condemn slavery’s cruelty. "Gone with the Wind," however, perpetuates myths about the Southern way of life. The historical accuracy of films varies according to their purpose and cultural context, but they collectively shape American perceptions of the Civil War and its causes.

Conclusion

The primary reasons for the Civil War remain rooted in slavery, political disagreements over states' rights, and sectional economic differences. Films and documents from the period offer contrasting perspectives that reflect their contexts and intentions. Modern films like "12 Years a Slave" and "Amistad" tend to present a more accurate and morally critical view, whereas "Gone with the Wind" retains romanticized and selective memories of the past. Overall, Hollywood’s portrayal, especially when critically assessed against primary sources, highlights the importance of understanding historical narratives as shaped by contemporary values and agendas. Accurately acknowledging the causes of the Civil War is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of American history and its enduring legacies.

References

• Genovese, E. D. (1978). Roll, Jordan, Roll: The World the Slaves Made. Vintage.
• McPherson, J. M. (2014). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press.
• Perman, M., & Taylor, A. M. (2011). Major Problems in the Civil War and Reconstruction (3rd ed.). Wadsworth.
• Freeman, J. (1861). Letter from a Southern Minister. Tennessee Historical Quarterly.
• National Archives. (1861). Secession Documents of the Confederate States.
• Slave narratives and primary documents (Various).
• Ken Burns. (1990). The Civil War [Documentary]. PBS.
• "Amistad." (1997). Directed by Steven Spielberg.
• "Gone with the Wind." (1939). Directed by Victor Fleming.
• "12 Years a Slave." (2013). Directed by Steve McQueen.