The main and direct cause of the Civil War was slavery. Southern states, including the 11 that formed the Confederacy, depended on slavery to support their economy. Southerners used slaves in the production of crops, performing household duties, and virtually all blue-collar jobs. If the south, apart of the nation, gained prosperity through this practice, why would the North oppose it? The main debate between the North and the South was whether the newly acquired land in the west was going to be free or slave states. The South obviously wanted to expand its profitable industry, and the North didn't want to compete with slave labor. There are many more mentionable events and factors that led to the Civil War. Economical, social, and political factors were all dictated by geographical and cultural differences. The South had a climate ideal for the crops it cultivated, and blacks had been used for its labor for already 300 years. The North was cooler with rockier soil, unsuitable for large plantations and farms. The North, as a result, became dependent on trade and commerce, favoring the growth of cities. The cultural differences came from the difference in geographic locations, which grew enormously by the mid-1800's. As a result, ideals and values differed immensely. The North was supported by the Republican Party, formerly the Whigs, while the South remained the Democratic Party. Both parties clashed heads regularly on the issue of slavery, with each political decision drawing the nation closer to a war. The North had the torch, trying to lead the nation through a dark path of unknowns. Influenced by a strong religious presence, and an industrialized urban environment, the North loudly disagreed with the laws and beliefs concerning slavery. These disagreements and influences were prevalent in every issue debated in Congress, which finally culminated in the Civil War. .