What was the primary cause of the Civil War?

The primary cause of the Civil War was rooted in disputes over slavery and states' rights. This conflict was emblematic of a deeper ideological divide between the North and the South. The Southern states depended heavily on an agricultural economy supported by slave labor. In contrast, the Northern states were increasingly industrialized and favored free labor and the abolition of slavery.

As tensions escalated in the years leading up to the war, issues such as the expansion of slavery into new territories and states became contentious. The Southern states advocated for states' rights, arguing that they had the sovereignty to determine their laws, including the legality of slavery. This stark disagreement over the moral, economic, and political implications of slavery served as a catalyst for secession when Abraham Lincoln was elected president in 1860, signaling a threat to the institution of slavery.

The other choices touch on relevant themes in the context of the Civil War, but they do not capture the critical essence of the conflict. While economic differences were significant, they were often intertwined with the issue of slavery. Foreign intervention did not have a substantial role in instigating the war, nor were trade agreements, which, while important to the economy, were not central to the causes of the conflict. Ultimately, it was the