Many scholars debate the primary cause of the American Civil War, which occurred from 1861-1865. While some argue that it was slavery and states' rights, others contend that there were many other factors at play. Historians suggest that a combination of both economic and political differences between the North and South contributed to the war. The Southern economy was built on agriculture and was largely dependent on slave labor, while the Northern economy relied heavily on industry. Political differences emerged due to the South’s strong belief in states’ rights, which clashed with the North’s preference for a strong centralized government.