controversial event leading up to the Civil War?

Question: Most important/controversial event leading up to the Civil War!?

Of the many significant events of the 1850s, what do you think is the most important/controversial event leading up to the Civil War!? Why!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

There are several candidates for this distinction, but in 1962 I had a college History teacher who was nearly old enough to remember the civil war first hand!. She was emphatic that one of the principal causes for widespread disgust in the North against southern slavery was the Harriet Beecher Stowe novel, "Uncle Tom's Cabin!."

In an era with no TV, radio, or telephones, the only source of news was print media!. "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was a best seller that got into the hands of a major portion of the northern population!. Its portrayal of gross mistreatment of slaves raised a broad awareness of the issue!. My teacher said the author sensationalized the problem quite a bit in order to sell the book, but that's really neither here nor there!. The book *did* have a major effect on the northern conscience that helped increase pressures for change that were unwelcome in the south!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

There could be several!. The violence known as "Bleeding Kansas!." The raid on Harper's Ferry!." The failure of the various attempts at compromise!. Check the site below and you can probably pick one or two that you might consider the most important!. Www@QuestionHome@Com