1. Looking ONLY at the lectures and information in the text AFTER Test 2, evaluate two key catalyst events in the 1840s and 50s, OTHER THAN Harper’s Ferry, and explain how they led to the Civil War....

Running Head: HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR.         1
PASTE TITLE OF THE ASSIGNMENT HERE                        5
HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR.
    1. The US-Mexican war of 1846 and the Economic crisis of 1857 are the two factors, that I believe have been the catalyst to Civil war. The US Mexican war of 1846, which resulted in the defeat of Mexico and the transfer of power of Texas to the United States, among several other areas, effected the internal politics of the US to a great extent. The Texas was a slave state and thus enjoyed support from the southern slave states. The northern 'free states' opposed the idea of war with Mexico and the addition of Texas to the US, as the set of incidents, when successfully executed would add up the benefit of slave states of south. The US congress decided to go with the war and thus Texas became a part of the US territory. The addition of Texas in the US territory greatly affected the balance of power between the northern free states and southern slave states. The southern slave states were suspicious of growing population of free northern states. With the addition of Texas, the south got relieved of its fear and it had actually set a counter sense of fear among the northern states of losing their power to the slave states.
On the other hand, the Economic crisis of 1857, which effected almost all the great powers of that time, caused the country to go through serious crisis, just 4-5 years ahead of the civil war. Economic reasons don't actually fuel civil wars but work as a catalyst to it. When people have enough work to do and a healthy lifestyle, insurgencies or armed revolts/conflicts are less expected. Economically hit people tend to tilt more towards war.
If could have moved back in time, I would have prevented the war against Mexico from taking place. Economic factors and other things could only fuel wars but not initiate them. For initiating war, sectorial, border or communal hatred needs to work and preventing anything that sparks those sentiments or fear is the best key to resolve them.
    2. The Reconstruction era began immediately after the Civil war, in order to end the discrimination and the slavery of the African Americans. The reconstruction era provided the African Americans with voting rights and equal opportunities in the southern slave states as well. The African Americans were freed from slavery. The efforts from Congress and the US military greatly helped the African Americans in...