The effect of historical figures on the Civil War

Many historical figures contributed to the start of the Civil War. John Brown, for example, attempted to lead a slave rebellion in Virginia. The Southerners referred to him as a beyond radical abolitionist and murderer who was a threat to the South--leading to secession. Likewise, Brown's execution outraged many abolitionists and free-soilers in the North, making them angrier toward the South and therefore more likely to declare war on the South after they seceded. Stephen …

…sued for his freedom on the basis that he and his master had lived in Illinois, a free state, for five straight years. Northerners became furious when Dred Scott's freedom was denied because he was property, and the Constitution specifies that the government cannot confiscate property from any citizen without due process of law--that is, in this case, monetary reimbursement. In this way, Dred Scott increased public opposition against slavery and ultimately the South itself.