Causes of Civil War 1. Economic & Social Differences between the North and South 2. State Rights- conflict between state and federal govt. power and influence in US 3. Debate over slavery in newly acquired Western Lands 4. Abolitionist Movement 5. Election of A. Lincoln in 1860 as US President http://americanhistory.about.com/od/civilwarmenu/a/cause_civil_war.htm