Slavery and State Rights - What Caused the Civil War?

Explore the complex factors that led to the American Civil War in this 50-minute lecture from Yale University's "The Civil War and Reconstruction" course. Examine five potential causes of Southern secession, including the preservation of slavery, fear, Southern nationalism, agrarian society, and honor. Delve into how historians have interpreted the war's origins, from James Ford Rhodes to Charles and Mary Beard's economic perspectives. Gain insights into Jefferson Davis's defense of secession and trace the historiography of the Civil War from the late 19th century through the 1930s.