1st cause: the first cause the 1860 presidential election of "Abraham Lincoln". this was a big positive roll for the north because he was "abolitionist" as well. but the south thought it was unfair so they departed from the United States in 1861 after Abraham said he would had no intention of changing slavery. so after the south departed they made there on government (Confederate Union) and they had there own capitol (Richmond, Virginia). He sent his troops to "fort Sumter" to take over the fort and to push confederate soldiers back. it worked temporary. the "confederate" go sick of the "union" being in south territory so the confederate open fire against the union killing 52 confederate soldiers but no union soldiers.
2nd cause: the "abolitionist movement" was a big group of people that were against slavery. there were to groups the "abolitionists" and the "pro slaverys". the "pro slaverys" were mostly slave holders or owners and they were for slavery a lot of people became abolitionists after the "Dred Scott case" . some big names in the "abolitionists" were "John Brown" and "Fredrick Douglass"." John brown" was a leader of a small group of around 30 men that went around and ransacked towns with slave holders/owners. the back one was the "sack of Lawrence". he later went to haprers ferry to free slaves and to raid the pro slaverys supplies but him and his crew were caught some were executed by law and others were sent to jail but John Brown was sent to be executed by law.