Yes, the abolition of slavery was a primary cause of the Civil War. The expansion of slavery into new territories, particularly in the western United States, was a key issue that led to the outbreak of the war. Some Northern states were opposed to the expansion of slavery, while Southern states were determined to protect the institution. The election of Abraham Lincoln as president in 1860, who was opposed to the expansion of slavery, was the final straw for the Southern states, who seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America. The Civil War began in 1861 and lasted until 1865, resulting in the emancipation of slaves and the abolition of slavery in the United States.