Adam Huseinovic
AFAM 2100
9 February 2017
Professor Young

What I Know About the Civil War

The discussion in class really opened my eyes to what the Civil War was actually fought over.  Throughout high school American history was always taken very serious, and I thought my school did a good job of covering the material, and making things well understood.  Although, during our discussion I realized the Civil War was far more than what I thought it was.  My eyes were opened to the reality of why the Civil War was so important to the northern states. 

What I learned was that the Civil War was fought over slavery, and the equality of whites and blacks.  Mainly the idea instilled in my head was that the north did not agree with slavery and the south was willing to do whatever it took to keep slavery.  This was true to an extent.  I was taught that Abraham Lincoln was all about blacks being equal to whites.  The north did want to abolish slavery, and they were opposed to the succession of the south.

What I learned in class was that the Civil War was fought for reasons that had nothing to do with slavery, and the idea of “equality” was used by the north to sell the idea of fighting for freedom to the blacks.  The north could not handle the fact that slavery rising in the south was leading the south to becoming an economic powerhouse.  The north, which involved the president and congress, realized the money being made in the south and tried to impose taxes.  The south grew angry and decided to succeed from the union.  Essentially the succession did start the war, but there was so called, “behind the scenes” actions that slowly progressed into the beginning of the war.  What also shocked me was the fact that Abraham Lincoln did not see blacks as equal to whites, and he is even on record saying so. 

I feel as though the thoughts and ideas of the country then, translate into what is happening now.  We still see wars being started over economic and racial issues.  The difference between what I was taught in high school and what I am learning in class now is truly shocking.