Slavery was a key issue that played a big role in starting the Civil War. It affected the economy, society, and politics in ways that increased the differences between the North and the South.

Economic Impact

• Cotton Production: By the year 1860, the South was making about 75% of the world's cotton. This was mainly because of slave labor. Over 4 million enslaved people were working on plantations in the South, which helped the Southern economy thrive.
• Financial Interests: The South relied heavily on farming, especially cotton. This crop brought in around $200 million each year, making slavery very important for the Southern economy.

Social and Cultural Aspects

• Demographics: In 1860, about 30% of the people in the South were enslaved. This deep connection to slavery made it hard for many Southerners to imagine living without it.
• Cultural Justifications: The South created a culture that supported slavery for various reasons, including religious beliefs and false science. This helped to maintain a social system that opposed ending slavery.

Political Tensions

• Legislation: Compromises like the Missouri Compromise (1820) and the Compromise of 1850 tried to manage the growth of slavery. However, these solutions only made things worse.
• Abolitionist Movement: In the North, the abolitionist movement grew stronger. Important events, like Harriet Beecher Stowe's book "Uncle Tom's Cabin" (published in 1852), made the disagreements about slavery even more intense.

In short, slavery was central to the economy, society, and politics that led to the Civil War. It created a complicated mix of problems that eventually sparked conflict.