The American Civil War had many contributing factors, but the main issue was the North's tariffs, which were detrimental to the South. There is a common misunderstanding that slavery was the primary cause, but tariffs played a more central role in the conflict. For instance, the Tariff Convention of 1831 highlighted these tensions. Due to the lack of benefits from tariffs and growing economic strain, South Carolina even attempted to nullify federal tariff laws in 1832, leading to a crisis that foreshadowed the broader conflicts leading up to the Civil War.