American Civil War (1861-1865)

• 14 Nov 2024

For Prelims: Slavery, Africa, Middle East, Arthashastra, Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976, Sovereignty, Immigration.

For Mains: World History, American Civil War, Abolition of Slavery.

Source: IE

Why in News?

Recently, the Presidential candidate of the Republican Party became president of the United States (US) defeating the Presidential candidate of the Democratic Party. 

• The US Civil War was driven by tensions over slavery, economic differences, and states' rights, with the Republican Party opposing slavery and the Democratic Party initially supporting it. 

How did Slavery Evolve Through Human History? 

• Origins & Early Development: 
  • Slavery emerged around thousands of years ago with agricultural settlements when victorious tribes enslaved defeated populations instead of killing them. 
  • Ancient civilisations including Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome developed complex slave-based economic systems. 
  • Various forms of slavery emerged, including debt bondage, the enslavement of conquered peoples, child labour and generational bondage. 
• Global Expansion & Trade: 
  • Arab slave trade dominated the Indian Ocean routes from 7th-19th centuries, connecting Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. 
  • The trans-Saharan slave trade transported millions from Sub-Saharan Africa to North Africa and the Middle East. 
  • The transatlantic slave trade (16th-19th centuries) forcibly moved approximately 12 million Africans to various parts of the world. 
  • European colonial powers established systematic slave trading networks across continents. 
• Slavery in India: 
  • Early Sanskrit texts like Arthashastra and Manusmriti recognised and regulated slavery. 
  • Buddhist and Jain texts also mention slavery while advocating compassionate treatment. 
  • Islamic rulers introduced military slavery and domestic servitude systems. 
  • The Mughal period saw extensive slave trading networks across South Asia. 
  • The Girmitiya system was a form of indentured labour introduced in British colonies to address labour shortages on sugar plantations after the abolition of slavery in 1833. 
  • Indian Slavery Act of 1843 technically abolished slavery under British rule. 
  • Post-independence India banned bonded labour through Article 23 of the Constitution and subsequently through the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976. 

What were the Causes and Course of the US Civil War? 

• Causes of the US Civil War: 
  • Slavery and Sectional Divides: The US Civil War was primarily driven by the conflict over slavery.  
    • The northern United States (US) had a diversified economy with both industry and farming, relying on free labour.  
      • In contrast, the southern United States depended heavily on slave labour for its agricultural economy, particularly cotton.  
    • This economic difference led to deep disagreements on the issue of slavery, with many Northerners seeking to prohibit slavery in new western states, while Southerners wanted laws that would protect it.  
    • As the US expanded westward, the issue of slavery became a major point of contention, especially for northern states.  
      • They feared that allowing slavery in new territories would give the South greater political power in Congress.  
    • This growing divide over slavery contributed to political tensions, eventually leading southern states to seek secession from the Union. 
    • The debate also centred on states' rights versus federal authority, with Southern politicians arguing that states had the right to leave the Union, while most Northerners believed the Union was permanent under the Constitution. 
  • Ideological Divide Between North vs. South: 
    • The ideological differences between the North and the South were stark, with the North advocating for a diversified economy and free labour, while the South's economy was built on slave labour.  
    • The conflict was not only about slavery but also about the nature of democracy, as both sides sought to shape the future of the nation according to their values and way of life. 
• Course of the Civil War: 
  • Anti-Slavery Protest: The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 allowed settlers in Kansas and Nebraska to decide on the legality of slavery in their territories through popular sovereignty, intensifying sectional tensions in the US. 
  • In response to the passage of the Nebraska Bill, anti-slavery activists organised and came together to create a new political party, which was named the Republican Party. 
  • In February 1856, anti-slavery activists gathered in Pittsburgh to formalise the Republican Party, with Abraham Lincoln among those present. 
  • Secession and Outbreak of War: The conflict reached a climax in 1860 when Lincoln was elected president. His opposition to the spread of slavery led to the secession of Southern states, which formed the Confederate States of America.  
    • In April 1861, Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina, marking the start of the war. Lincoln ordered the army to bring the rebel states back into the Union. 
    • Though the South had superior military leadership, the North's larger population, industrial capacity, and infrastructure eventually in April 1865 South surrendered. 
  • Emancipation Proclamation: In 1863, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in the Confederate states were free. 
    • This move also had international significance, discouraging European nations from supporting the Confederacy. 
    • However, Lincoln declared that the war was being fought to preserve the Union, not to abolish slavery. 
  • Thirteenth Amendment and Abolition of Slavery: In the aftermath of the war, the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution was passed in 1865, abolishing slavery. 

What were the Challenges and Impacts of the US Civil War? 

• Reconstruction and Post-War Challenges in the US: 
  • Reconstruction and Southern Resistance: The Reconstruction era (1865-1877) sought to reintegrate the Southern states and enforce civil rights for African Americans.  
    • The 14^th and 15^th Amendments granted citizenship and voting rights to African Americans, altering the social and political landscape of the US. 
  • Economic Changes and Industrialisation: The war accelerated industrialisation in the US. By 1914, the US became a leading industrial power, partly due to the need for mass production during the war.  
    • Immigration played a significant role in fueling industrial growth, with nearly 20 million immigrants arriving between 1870 and 1914.  
    • The development of the railroad system, particularly the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, helped facilitate trade and industrial growth, linking the eastern US with the West and promoting the movement of goods. 
  • Postwar Economic Expansion: The war also spurred the growth of railroads, which linked farming communities to industrial cities.  
    • Steel became a crucial resource as railways expanded, and the movement of goods, such as corn, wheat, and cattle, helped position the US as a world leader in agriculture and industry by the 20th century. 
• Global Impact on the Cotton Trade and its Influence on India:  
  • Disruption of Cotton Exports: The Civil War caused a major disruption in the global cotton trade as the South, a primary supplier of cotton to Britain, could no longer export it.  
    • British textile manufacturers turned to India as an alternative source, leading to a significant increase in cotton demand from Indian growers. 
  • The Cotton Boom in India: As a result, India became a key supplier of cotton to British industries during the war.  
    • This demand drove Indian merchants to encourage farmers in regions like Gujarat and Maharashtra to plant more cotton, resulting in an economic boom, though it often led to exploitation.  
• Long-Term Economic Consequences for India: While India benefited from increased cotton exports, it was primarily British industries that profited.  
  • This cotton boom also caused food shortages in some regions, as farmers were encouraged to grow cotton instead of food crops, leading to famines and economic distress for Indian farmers.  
  • The British colonial system continued to extract wealth from India while leaving its farmers in debt and poverty.

Drishti Mains Question:

How was the cotton trade from India impacted during the US Civil War, and what were the long-term consequences for Indian farmers?

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Mains: 

Q. Why indentured labour was taken by British from India to other colonies? Have they been able to preserve their cultural identity over there? (2018)