Name one problem that led to the Civil War.

Answers from the USCIS list

Give one of these answers.

• slavery
• economic reasons
• states’ rights

Our explanation

Slavery was one problem. Southern states wanted it legal, and many in the North did not. There were economic (money) reasons too: Southern farms depended on enslaved workers. People also argued about states’ rights: each state’s power to decide.

Remember it

Two S’s and money: Slavery, States’ rights, and economic reasons.

Source

USCIS 2025 Study Guide pp. 57–59 (p. 57 sidebar lists “economic reasons” and “states’ rights”). Quotes: “One problem that led to the Civil War was slavery.” (p. 59) / “Landowners depended on enslaved people to do the work.” (p. 58)

• Civics (History and Government) Questions for the Naturalization Test (2008 version), rev. 08/21 (PDF, USCIS)

Last checked on September 29, 2026.

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