1. The issue of slavery: The institution of slavery was a major economic factor in the Southern states. The Southern economy was heavily dependent on slave labor, and many Southern planters feared that the abolition of slavery would destroy their way of life.
2. Tariffs: The issue of tariffs also played a role in dividing the North and the South. The North generally favored high tariffs, which protected Northern industries from foreign competition. The South, on the other hand, opposed high tariffs, arguing that they raised the cost of goods for Southern consumers.
3. Western land policy: The issue of Western land policy also contributed to the conflict. The North generally favored a policy of free homesteads for Western settlers, while the South favored a policy of selling Western lands to private individuals. The South feared that a policy of free homesteads would lead to an increase in the number of free states in the West, which would eventually give the North a majority in Congress.
In conclusion, economics was a major factor in dividing the United States during the Civil War. The issue of slavery, tariffs, and Western land policy all played a role in the conflict.