Some may argue that no war is inevitable, but I am inclined to disagree. There was nothing either side could have done, short of rolling over for the opposition, which could have prevented this war. Southern pride was at stake here over Northern impositions, which Southerners took as a direct insult to their way of life. This "irrepressible conflict" had been brooding for some time, and nothing would get in its way, including democracy.

Democracy was unable to curb the coming of the Civil War because of the vast differences between Northern and Southern life. Not only were their beliefs and ideals different, but they also had different mentalities towards life in general. The Northern way of life was the way of Capitalism. Industry was taking off throughout the North, and thousands of jobs were being created by factories. The economy was...