Introduction
The Civil War was a turning point of significant change in the case of states’ rights and how the federal government adjudicated itself throughout the nation. While the more significant known right of slavery was the most critical factor in states’ rights at the time, it was not the only principle under attack (both figuratively and literally). The outcome of the dispute and the civil war would create a foundation and policy for the continued growth and governance of the US, leading to today. Its repercussions are still spoken of and talked about daily in the US by proponents and decenters of racial injustice and the lasting impact of slavery on the descendants of those who were enslaved.
Why the Civil War Was the Turning Point in U.S. History
Civil War radically altered the course of U.S. history and contributed to the emergence of a new and unified state. First, the price of the conflict was extremely high, as around 620,000 Americans died during this war (McPherson, 2010). This traumatic experience impacted all state citizens and the following generations (McPherson, 2010). The sacrifice could not remain unnoticed, and the questions about the country’s future united individuals. In such a way, the Civil War gave birth to the nation and created the basis for its further evolution.
Moreover, the Civil War empowered the USA and transformed it into a fast-growing global political power. The collapse of the Confederacy showed the strength of the U.S. government and restored its legitimacy (“The consequences of Union victory, 1865,” n.d.). Moreover, the Union victory helped to shift priorities towards resisting the French intervention in Mexico and succeeding in it (“The consequences of Union victory, 1865,” n.d.). As a result, the foreign influence of the state grew. At the same time, its government recognized its ability to resist other nations, protect its interests, and play an active role at the international level. The nation’s power and self-confidence growth is another significant result of the Civil War.
Finally, the Civil War highlighted the gap between people and various states and the need to eliminate it. The defeat of the Confederacy introduced the problem of the nation’s reunition and the measures necessary to avoid new conflicts (Rust, 2022a). Additionally, the government had to protect the new territories and formerly enslaved people (Rust, 2022a). It required the radical alteration of all spheres of Americans’ lives and the establishment of a new mentality and legal framework as a basis for the future state’s rise. In such a way, the Civil War became a turning point in U.S. history, helping to change the course of its evolution and achieve new goals.
Causes and Events Leading to the Civil War
Most investigators analyzing the Civil War consider the differences in views on slavery and the future development of the nation as the primary cause of the conflict. The North’s desire to eliminate the institution was a direct threat to the Southern states, which decided to secede from the rest of the USA to preserve slavery (Rust, 2022b). The cultural divide over this factor was linked to the differences in people’s mentalities and the need for cheap labor to work on large plantations in the South (Rust, 2022b). The efforts to end slavery initiated soon after the American Revolution faced fierce resistance, making the gap between the states more significant.
The government’s inability to consider these differences, effectively manage them, and create the basis for future evolution is another cause of the Civil War. Thus, speaking about the oncoming crisis and military conflict, Senator Douglas admitted that “the cause alleged is that the institutions of the Southern States are not safe under the Federal Government” (“Speech of Senator Douglas, before the legislature of Illinois, April 25, 1861, in compliance with a Joint Resolution of the two Houses,” n.d., p. 2). At the same time, he admitted that the central duty of an American citizen is “obedience to the constitution and laws” (“Speech of Senator Douglas,” n.d., p. 4). It means that although citizens recognized the need to follow the laws, the existing legal environment and government could not satisfy their needs and meet their vision.
Finally, the Mexican War and acquiring new territories stimulated the conflict between Southern and Northern states. The question of whether slavery could be expanded to the former Mexican lands became a critical issue that embittered political debate (McPherson, 2010). During the following years, the political debate focused on the question of whether slavery should be excluded from all states or, on the contrary, preserved and supported by the government (McPherson, 2010). The inability to compromise and find a decision that would satisfy all parties resulted in the further division of the nation and caused the Civil War.
How the Civil War Changed the Course of History in the United States
America’s Reconstruction was one of the most important outcomes of the Civil War that altered U.S. history. This turbulent and controversial era was characterized by the effort of formerly enslaved people to manage their newly acquired freedom and create the conditions to exercise their rights and duties (“America’s Reconstruction: People and politics after the Civil War,” n.d.). The Reconstruction plan offered by President Johnson and the Constitutional amendments enacted by the Republican congress created the basis for empowering the federal government. The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery, meaning that the government acquired the right to enforce the principle of equality (Rosenthal & Joseph, 2017). It became critical for the development of federalism and the empowerment of the state’s power.
The necessity to control rebel territories also resulted in establishing the model that helped govern the state. Many new powers assumed by the government were justified by the emergency and existing needs (Gerstle, n.d.). Thus, the legal document introduced after the war as an attempt to guarantee effective control proclaimed “That it shall be the duty of each officer assigned as aforesaid, to protect all persons in their rights of person and property” (“First Reconstruction Act. March 2, 1867,” n.d.). It implied that all citizens, including the formerly enslaved people, would be protected by the government. It became a turning point in the state’s history as the government proclaimed all citizens equal and protected.
Impact of Civil War on Today’s Society
The significance of the Civil War for the USA can be evidenced by the fact that its effects are still observed nowadays. It forged a new mentality and contributed to the nation’s unification (Hauser, 2013). At the same time, the achievements of the conflict, such as the complete abolishment of slavery and the reconsideration in the attitude toward black people (Hauser, 2013). The democratic institutions existing today originate from the decisions made soon after the end of the conflict and the amendments to the Constitution (Hauser, 2013). The primary law provided all Americans with equal rights and protection of the laws, which became critical for the future state’s growth (Hauser, 2013). In such a way, contemporary society still experiences the impacts of the Civil War and the changes that emerged after it.
Conclusion
Altogether, the Civil War was a turning point in U.S. history. It altered people’s vision of citizens’ rights, the federal government’s powers and duties, and the nation’s future. The conflict emerged because of the different visions of slavery and the state’s further evolution. However, its end indicated the start of a new era in the country’s development. The Reconstruction period empowered the government, helped to alter the Constitution, and cultivated a new vision of the nation’s future shared by most Americans. For this reason, the impact of the Civil War can be found in modern society.
References
America’s Reconstruction: People and politics after the Civil War. (n.d.). Digital History. Web.
The consequences of Union victory, 1865. (n.d.). U.S. Department of State Archive. Web.
First Reconstruction Act. March 2, 1867. (n.d.). San Diego State University. Web.
Gerstle, G. (n.d.). The Civil War and state-building: A reconsideration. The Journal of the Civil War Era. Web.
Hauser, S. (2013). Why the Civil War still matters. University of Rochester. Web.
McPherson, J. (2010). Out of war, a new nation. Prologue, 42(1). Web.
Rosenthal, L., & Joseph, G. (2017). Foundations of U.S. federalism. Judicature, 101(1). Web.
Rust, O. (2022a). The political effects of the American Civil War. The Collector. Web.
Rust, O. (2022b). The sociocultural effects of the American Civil War. The Collector. Web.
Speech of Senator Douglas, before the legislature of Illinois, April 25, 1861, in compliance with a Joint Resolution of the two Houses. (n.d.). Senate. Web.