Why were they fighting for in the civil war?

Answer 1

The common people of the South fought for secession because they believed in the slogan that "Freedom is not possible without slavery" and thought that slavery created social equality among whites. The common people of the South fought for secession because they believed in the slogan that "Freedom is not possible without slavery" and thought that slavery created social equality among whites.

Answer 2

Good question.

The South had broken away from the USA and formed its own separate nation (the Confederacy). They could claim that they didn't want a war, but that they had a right to defend their territory.

Lincoln did not recognise the Confederacy, so he could not declare war on it. He simply conducted operations against certain of his own states that were in rebellion.

The Southern leadership could not deny that they were fighting to preserve slavery. But the average Confederate was poor white trash, who didn't own slaves and cared nothing about slavery either way. That fellow was fighting for independence - but in fact, he was the sort of cussed individual who may have just wanted an excuse for a darn good fight.

The North went to war, principally to rescue the enormous cotton revenues, and they were also inspired by keeping the USA in one piece. The fight against slavery came a poor third. The Abolitionist lobby was growing fast, but it was still a tiny minority. The average Northern soldier did not care much about black rights, even after Lincoln had turned the war into an official crusade against slavery - and that was mainly a tactic to keep Britain and France from aiding the South (it would have made them look pro-slavery themselves).

Answer 3

They were the Union and Confederate armies. The biggest reason for the war was the issue of slavery. The Confederates wanted to continue it and the Union wanted to abolish it.

Answer 4

states rights and slavery

Answer 5

They were fighting for state rights yes but it wasn’t so much they were fighting for slavery they were fighting to preserve their economy which was fueled by slavery ,yes but it was more of a focus on their economy then slavery itself , southerners were also tired of the north ridicule the south on slavery when the north in fact the whole country was benefiting from slavery economically as a united country before the secession from the union. It wasn’t so much slavery was the cause but a threat to their economy would be better worded