The Civil War: Then and NowThe Civil War that took place was one of the darkest periods in our history as a country. It was a time when there was a complete collapse of social and political systems. Hundreds of thousands of people were killed and hundreds of thousands more were hit hard. But it was also a moment of remembrance and important moral progress. It is remembered as a turning point in American history and would be the foundation of the civil rights movement many years later. There are many reasons why the Civil War started. Some experts say that it is because of this that tensions were created between the Northern and Southern states. Others claim it was a social clash between slave owners and abolitionists. What is certain, however, is that slavery was the primary issue and the one that lit the fuse that led to blood and devastation. One way or another, from any perspective, slavery was the main issue to be resolved and would be decided by the outcome of the war (Foner, “The Civil War”). The Civil War not only threatened slavery, it also threatened the South and its way of life. life. They were plantation owners and cotton producers. Their very existence and livelihood depended on the labor of African Americans. They had established a culture of white male domination over African Americans. Ever since Southerners had colonized the Americas, they had depended on free labor and felt that they could not function properly without it. (QUOTE)The South was essentially a country within a country. The thirteen colonies had banded together to face a common enemy: the British oppressors. After the American Revolutionary War, they realized they didn't have much in common other than wanting independence. Due to...... middle of paper ...... be seen. The Civil War is one of the turning points in American history. It was a time when our country was at its lowest. This event redefined what it meant to be American and even redefined the culture as to how slavery was viewed both morally and politically. It took a lot of sacrifice to survive this event. It is estimated that more than 750,000 people have lost their lives in this struggle. At the time, almost an entire generation of men had disappeared forever. So why is the Civil War so celebrated in reenactments and shows? (McCurry) The reason is that it marked a new way of living. This marked a new era for those who were previously enslaved. It showed the world that the United States was a country that believed that no one was anyone else's master. It showed that the United States was a country where all men were created equal..