Writing Assignment 4b: Was The Civil War Inevitable? ✓ Solved

Writing Assignment 4b Was The Civil War Inevitablethe Civil War Ha

Writing Assignment 4b: Was the Civil War Inevitable? The Civil War has been studied more than any other event in American history. One reason for the enduring interest in this war most likely lies in the fact that the conflict pitted Americans against Americans. It should, therefore, come as no surprise that one of the most debated questions in American history has been, "Was the Civil War Inevitable?" Your discussion for this essay will be based on the following readings and map analysis.

Use the information that you gather to support your argument/position. The questions in each section will assist you in understanding the content and to prepare for the essay. Review and identify relevant sections of Chapter 15. Read John C. Calhoun's last speech written during the great debate over the Compromise of 1850. Note that at one part of his speech Calhoun claims that the Union is in danger, stating "That the immediate cause is the almost universal discontent which pervades all of the States composing the southern section of the Union..." What evidence have you found in the readings and maps to support or refute his claim?

Study the Kansas-Nebraska Act map. Consider these questions when you analyze the document and map: What fears does Calhoun express regarding the future status of the South in the Union? According to Calhoun, what choices do the Southern states have? After studying the map and the events described in "Bleeding Kansas," what evidence do you find to support or refute Calhoun's statements?

Read Lincoln's speech titled "A House Divided." The introduction, which begins with the often-quoted proverb from the Bible, can be read in Chapter 15 of the textbook. As you read the speech, consider the following questions: What argument is Lincoln presenting in his introduction? How does he support his argument in the speech? Compare Lincoln's arguments in his speech to Calhoun's arguments. Identify similarities and differences.

Review the Chapter 15 section titled Secession, and closely examine the Secession map which is also available at this link. Consider the following questions when you analyze the map and write your essay: Note the order in which the first states seceded from the Union, and which state led the process. What conclusion(s) can be reached from this information? Note the state of Virginia. What did the western section decide to do? Note the states which did not secede immediately. What factors may have influenced their decision to wait and then secede? Note the slave states that did not secede. What factors may have influenced their decision? Does the pattern of secession support or refute Calhoun’s argument? Prepare and submit a well-organized essay, a minimum of 700 words, including supporting details from the documents/textbook/other sources, in which you analyze and discuss the material that has been assigned by addressing the following question: In your opinion, "Was the Civil War inevitable"?

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The question of whether the American Civil War was inevitable continues to be a focal point in historical debates. Analyzing key speeches, maps, and events of the period reveals complex causes that suggest the conflict was perhaps foreordained by deep-rooted sectional tensions, economic differences, and political disagreements. This essay examines the perspectives of John C. Calhoun and Abraham Lincoln, along with the secession pattern, to argue that the Civil War was indeed an inevitable outcome of contrasting visions for America's future.

John C. Calhoun, a fierce proponent of states’ rights, believed that the Union was in imminent danger due to the rising discontent in the Southern states. In his last speech during the debate over the Compromise of 1850, Calhoun emphasized that the "almost universal discontent" in the South threatened the stability of the Union. The evidence from the readings and maps supports Calhoun's concern, especially considering the Kansas-Nebraska Act and events like "Bleeding Kansas," which exemplified the escalating violence and sectional disputes over slavery. The Kansas-Nebraska Act, enacted in 1854, effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise by allowing territories to decide on slavery via popular sovereignty, thus deepening divisions and instilling fears among Southerners of losing political power.

Calhoun's fears about the future of the South are demonstrated by his warnings that the region might be politically marginalized if the North continued its expansion of free states. His alternative was for Southern states to assert their rights more forcefully, even contemplating secession if necessary. The map of the Kansas-Nebraska territory illustrates the violent outcome of these policies, with "Bleeding Kansas" symbolizing the violent struggle over whether Kansas would enter as a free or slave state. These events support Calhoun's assertion that discord was inevitable if sectional interests remained unresolved.

On the other hand, Abraham Lincoln, in his "A House Divided" speech, presented a contrasting view. Lincoln argued that the nation could not endure permanently half slave and half free; instead, the Union must be one or the other. His stance suggested an inescapable division rooted in differing economic and moral principles. Lincoln supported his argument with the biblical metaphor, asserting that "A house divided against itself cannot stand," implying that the nation faced an inevitable choice—either the expansion of slavery or its abolition. Like Calhoun, Lincoln recognized the significance of slavery but interpreted the impending crisis differently, emphasizing that the nation was headed toward an inevitable split unless decisive action was taken.

The pattern of secession further supports the inevitability thesis. The secession map indicates that the first states to leave the Union, such as South Carolina and Mississippi, did so immediately after Lincoln’s election in 1860. South Carolina, led by its political leaders, acted independently, citing grievances over states’ rights and slavery. The western sections of states like Virginia initially hesitated but ultimately decided to secede, signaling that the desire to preserve slavery and states’ rights was a powerful unifying force driving the break from the Union. Notably, some slave states, like Maryland and Delaware, chose to delay or abstain from secession, influenced by economic ties and strategic interests. These patterns suggest that the conflict was an inevitable consequence of deep structural and ideological divisions.

In conclusion, the analysis of Calhoun's warnings, Lincoln’s opposition, and the patterns of secession collectively support the argument that the Civil War was inevitable. The profound disagreements over slavery, state sovereignty, and economic interests created fault lines that could not be reconciled peacefully. While some might argue that political compromise could have delayed conflict, the overt signals and rapid succession of secession illustrate that the foundational disagreements had grown too entrenched for peaceful resolution. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the Civil War was indeed an unavoidable culmination of these enduring sectional tensions and conflicting visions for America’s future.

References

• Fehrenbach, T. R. (1995). Reb iron and steel: An illustrated history of the Civil War.
• McPherson, J. M. (1988). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era.
• Calhoun, J. C. (1850). Last speech during the debate over the Compromise of 1850.
• Lincoln, A. (1858). "A House Divided" speech.
• Foner, E. (2010). The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery.
• McPherson, J. M. (1997). For Cause and Comrades: Why Men Fought in the Civil War.
• Seccession map. (n.d.). National Archives.
• Kansas-Nebraska Act Map. (n.d.). U.S. History.org.
• Beck, K. (2007). The Great Crisis of the Civil War.
• Bynum, T. (2015). The Roots of American Civil War.