What was the justification for the War of Northern Agression?
The cause of the war, like many wars, was greed. With the westward expansion, the northern states gained political power. They placed tariffs on southern goods to make them more expensive to export and cheaper for northern factories. This was the main reason for secession. Prior to this, several northern states had threatened secession when southern states held political power. The right to secession was generally agreed upon. However, in debates Lincoln had expressed his opinion that the states should remain united. Lincoln was not an abolitionist. I disagree with the poster who said the Emancipation Proclamation was to destroy the southern economy. It was pretty much in shambles by that time. I believe he wanted to recruit former slaves into the northern army. The justification of the war for the South was that the Union had troops on their soil. It was expressed that they fought “because you are down here.” Lincoln’s justification was to re-unite the states.
