Ever since the beginnings of America there have been consequential events that led to the American Civil War. Throughout history, there has been much controversy over whether this war was or was not unavoidable. Upon looking back into the chronicles of history and the longtime conflict between the North and the South, one can see that the American Civil War was undeniably inevitable.
             One major contributor of aggravation between North and South was the belief in Manifest Destiny. In 1844, Texas was a leading issue in the presidential campaign. The foes of expansion opposed annexation, while southerners cried "Texas or Disunion." Many "conscience Whigs" feared that Texas in the Union would add to the slave power. Therefore, President Tyler arranged for annexation by a joint resolution.
             After the war with Mexico, the United States acquired a huge expanse of land. This raised the question of whether slavery should be extended into the territories. Northern antislaveryites strongly supported the Wilmot Proviso, which flatly prohibited slavery in any territory acquired in the Mexican War. Southern senators blocked the passage of this proviso continuously. This debate split national politics along North-South sectional lines.
             The second major area that was influential in leading up to the Civil War was social reform. The 2nd Great Awakening sparked a crusade to abolish slavery. Charles Grandison Finney was a prominent minister that encouraged revivalist activity and abolitionism. By 1857, the Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians had split into northern and southern sects over the issue of slavery.
             In 1831, William Lloyd Garrison published the first issue of his militantly antislavery newspaper, The Liberator. Consequently, in 1835, the Washington government ordered southern postmasters to destroy all abolitionist material. This started the controversy over free speech in the United States.
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