The economics or slavery and political control were the main causes of the civil war. Southern states wanted the ability to abolish federal laws that they did not support. Also, southern states wanted to take slaves west, but the north did not want the slave trade to expand. The southern states also felt they had lost all influence in the government after Lincoln was elected without a single electoral vote from the south.
I believe his separation of powers theory was the foundation for the U.S. Constitution. Not sure how long it was included but that's all I know.
Tobacco was the most valuable cash crop produced in the 1700s until the invention of the cotton gin. Large quantities of it was produced rapidly.