Which was a primary cause of the American Civil War?

The primary cause of the American Civil War stemmed from issues related to slavery and states' rights. This conflict was deeply entwined with the moral, economic, and political realms of American society during the 19th century. The Southern states strongly supported the institution of slavery, viewing it as essential to their agrarian economy. In contrast, many in the North increasingly opposed slavery on moral grounds and sought to limit its expansion into the new territories being formed as the United States expanded westward.

Additionally, the concept of states' rights played a critical role, as Southern states believed they had the right to govern themselves and make their own decisions regarding slavery, including the right to secede from the Union if they felt their rights were threatened. This belief was fueled by various political tensions, including the conflicts over whether new states admitted to the Union would be slave states or free states.

While economic rivalry and disputes over territories gained from Mexico did contribute to the tensions between the North and the South, they were secondary to the central issue of slavery and the associated states' rights argument. Differences in educational policies do not hold significant relevance in the context of the Civil War and its primary causes.