<human>:  what were the causes of the civil war?
<bot>: The major cause of the Civil War was the disagreement between the Northern and Southern states over the issue of slavery. The South, which relied heavily on slave labor to support their agricultural economy, wanted to maintain or even expand the practice of slavery. The North, however, had become increasingly against the institution of slavery and wanted it abolished. In addition, the conflict over states’ rights also played a role in driving the two sides apart. One side wanted a strong central government with the power to make and enforce federal laws, while the other wanted to keep the power in the hands of the states. This disagreement, along with the issue of slavery, ultimately culminated in the start of the Civil War.