Nikki Haley acknowledges slavery as a contributing factor to the US Civil War following criticism

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has publicly acknowledged that the US Civil War was primarily about slavery, despite previously failing to mention it as a cause during a town hall event. During a voter's question in New Hampshire, Haley did not mention slavery in her response, instead attributing the war to how the government was going to run and the limitations on people's freedoms. This omission sparked criticism from the voter who labeled it "astonishing" that slavery was not mentioned in 2023. Haley initially defended herself, asking what more she should say about slavery. However, after facing backlash on social media, she admitted during an interview with CNN that slavery was indeed the cause of the Civil War. She stated that the deeper question was its significance today, emphasizing freedom as the enduring value. Separately, Haley claimed that the voter who questioned her was a "Democrat plant" during an interview with The Pulse of NH radio station. The incident occurred during Haley's campaign drive to win over voters before the early Republican primary election in New Hampshire, where she has seen an increase in popularity. While Haley currently trails behind former President Donald Trump, she is in close competition with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. President Joe Biden and other Democrats criticized Haley for her comments, with Biden sharing a video of the exchange on social media. Republican opponents, including DeSantis's campaign account, also capitalized on the controversy. It is worth noting that scholars affirm that the fight over slavery was a central cause of the Civil War. As a former governor of South Carolina, the first state to secede during the war, Haley has faced previous inquiries regarding the issue. During her gubernatorial campaign in 2010, she characterized the war as a clash between tradition and change. The Civil War, which took place from 1861 to 1865, stemmed from decades of escalating tensions over slavery and the election of President Abraham Lincoln, an avowed opponent of the institution.