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Americans disagreed over the role of federal and state governments before and during the Civil War where proponents of strong federal government believed in preserving the Union and centralizing power, while supporters of states' rights argued for greater autonomy and preservation of individual state authority.

During the Civil War, Americans argued about the role of federal and state governments. Supporters of a strong federal government wanted to maintain the Union and consolidate power, while advocates for states' rights wanted more independence and the preservation of authority in individual states.