The Civil War by Ken Burns Episode 01: The Cause - 1861

Slavery began to flourish in the U.S. at the end of the 18th century with Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin. Serious objections to slavery began as early as 1831 and the abolitionist movement in the North grew quickly. Between Lincoln's election and his inauguration, 7 southern States seceded from the Union. The expected war began with the attack on fort Sumter.