This war, being no different from most others, stemmed from disagreement, difference, and defiance. The issue at stake regarded the question of where regional autonomy stopped and federal power claimed superiority. The South felt that individual states, cities, and communities should be permitted to decide issues of policy; such as the hotly debated topic of slavery. In oppositio

Another cause where the opposing armies did not see eye to eye was the distinction of the warring parties. The South saw the war as the North versus the South. Conversely, the North saw the war as the Union against “anarchy and law against order (McPherson 18).” The North did not see it as a simple secession, but as the Confederacy threatening the American way of life.

Soldiers from both sides felt the same love for their respective regions and families, fought with the same determination, and both feared, above all, being considered a coward. The intensity that these men fought with has not been replicated since the Civil War and is because, unlike some other wars, the men fought not for survival, but for a common cause (McPherson 4). The love that these men felt for their country was so significant that they would “fight like bulldogs (McPherson 10)” and do everything in their power to win.

The Civil War was a completely tragic event. Just think, a war in which thousands of Americans died in their home country over nothing more than a difference in opinion. Yes, slavery was the cause of the Civil War: half of the country thought it was wrong and the other half just couldn't let them go. The war was fought overall in probably 10,000 different places and the monetary and property loss cannot be calculated. The Union dead numbered 360,222 and only 110,000 of them died in battle. Confederate dead were estimated at 258,000 including 94,000 who actually died on the field of battle. (Groliers) The Civil War was a great waste in terms of human life and possible accomplishment.. Before its first centennial, tragedy struck a new country and stained it for eternity. It will never be forgotten but adversity builds strength and the United States of America is now a much stronger nation.

The two sides could pass for one and the same when it came to any of these topics of religion, problems and fears in battle, commitment and intensity, or honor, however there were a few, very important difference between these two warring militaries. The few differences that separated these men lied mainly in the causes for going to war. For the South, it was mainly to preserve their way of life and not “submit to northern slavery (McPherson 21).” The actual act of slavery, however, was not a main or direct reason mentioned by the North to go to war, yet many southern soldiers mentioned it as a reason for war. Though it was an underlying cause, it is more likely to lead to the issue of the federal government imposing laws in the South without limits.

However, the great number of men, both Confederate soldiers and Union soldiers, wanted to fight. They were very interested in engaging the enemy and as they called it “seeing the elephant (McPherson 30).” Nevertheless, once through a battle, soldiers did not desire to be involved in another.

Some topics in this essay:
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