What caused the American Civil War? Scholars have written countless volumes attempting to answer that seemingly simple question, and there has been much disagreement. What do you think? Take both a long view of early American history and a shorter view of the Civil War era to explain why North and South came to blows. How does the monumental conflict shape identity, politics, and place today?

What caused the American Civil War? Scholars have written countless volumes attempting to answer that seemingly simple question, and there has been much disagreement. What do you think? Take both a long view of early American history and a shorter view of the Civil War era to explain why North and South came to blows. How does the monumental conflict shape identity, politics, and place today?