U.S.
History, Part 1: Assignment Unit 2 | Your Name:
Factors Leading to Increased Sectionalism
From 1840 to 1860, the United States expanded westward, which led to increasing sectional tensions between the North and South. Manifest Destiny led to the
acquisition of new territories in the southwest. As western territories grew in population and new states applied for statehood, sectional tensions grew over
issues of regional power, the role of the national government and states, and the growth of slavery.
How did it increase sectionalism between
Factors Description
the North & South
Also known as the Missouri Compromise, the Compromise
It defines a clear line of separation of slavery regarding the
of 1820 allows Missouri to join as a slave state while Maine
Compromise of 1820 North and the South. Started the separation between the
joins as a non-slave state. It also banned slavery above 36
two sides which continues to grow the sectionalism.
degrees 30’ Latitude line.
The Compromise Tariff of 1833 decreased the tax that was
This increased the growing divide, as the south felt unfairly
Compromise Tariff of 1833 placed on imported goods. This dealt with the Nullification
taxed by high taxes and tariff that helped grew the north
Crisis as well as threat of SC secession
The Compromise allowed California to join the Union as a Gov tried to please both sides; however, each act that was
Compromise of 1850 free state, as well as settling a dispute on borders between implemented disdained one side more and more. This
New Mexico and Texas. Fugitive Slave Act was implemented. created a boundary between the north and south.
This essentially made it harder for slaves to free themselves,
even if they reach a free state, they can still be returned
Fugitive Slave Law of 1850
back into a slave state. This also created obligations to
government to find and return slaves from free states.
Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel depicted the reality of slavery, This increased sectionalism by intensifying Northern
which created strong responses across the nation. It helped opposition to slavery. It also was pushing the South into
Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1852) impact the Northern views on slavery and raised awareness being defensive, leading to more division between the two
of the moral issues involved, while Southern states criticized sides.
it for misrepresenting their way of life.
The Ostend Manifesto was a statement urging the
This fueled sectionalism, as the North saw the
United States to take Cuba by force if Spain refused to
Ostend Manifesto (1854)
Manifesto as an attempt to expand the authority of
sell it, motivated by a desire to extend slave territory. It
slave states. Contrarily, the South saw it as a means of
was viewed as an attempt to spread slavery to new
strengthening their economic and political position
territories.
This Act gave Kansas and Nebraska the right to decide
This escalated the tensions resulting in violent battles
whether to allow slavery or not, an idea known as
Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)
between pro-slavery and anti-slavery parts in Kansas.
popular sovereignty. This basically ended the Missouri
These battles between the sides further divide the
Compromise by legalizing slavery north of the 36°30'
North and South.
line.
After the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed, pro-slavery By showing the distinct division between the North and
and anti-slavery parties clashed violently in Kansas, South and each side pointing the finger at the other for
“Bleeding Kansas” (1854- 1858) earning the territory the nickname "Bleeding Kansas." the instability and bloodshed. This incident directly
Both parties disagreed on the constitutionality of worsened the sectionalism between the sides.
slavery in the new state.
This decision angered the North, as it allowed slavery to
In this Supreme Court case, the Court ruled that African
spread into the territories, while the South saw it as a
Americans, whether free or enslaved, could not be American
Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) victory for their rights. The ruling deepened the divide
citizens. Along with the fact that the federal government had
between the two regions, particularly over the issues of the
no power to control slavery in the territories.
federal authority.
Lincoln and Douglas had a series of debates that was mainly
Lincoln was mainly summoning points to keep war o from
on the topic of slavery, tax they were veing for the seat
Lincoln-Douglas Debates (1858) happening between the states. Douglas was trying to use
representing Illinois. Lincoln boosted his political career
popular sovereignty to force other states in slave states.
while slowing douglas down.
Brown and 18 men had accrued the arsenal from the Some people in the North admired his commitment and
armory, however he was caught by E. Lee. Later he was raised him as well as making him an instant martyr. South
John Brown’s Raid (1859)
sentenced to death for treason, murder, and slave saw him as a threat that can potentially lead to others
insurrection. uprising against slaves states.
His win in the election created tension and saw southern This was at a point where the tension was extremely high
states withdrawing themselves from the union. Six states and created a lot of uneasiness between the two sides. The
Election of Lincoln in 1860
formed the. confederate states of America and the civil war states withdrawing was the final straw and led to the civil
began right after war.
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