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Westward Expansion
Westward Expansion was the work of the U.S. to expand westward because they thought it was their destiny. During this time the U.S. gained control of many new territories. Westward Expansion is an example of nationalism because the people had pride in the U.S. and wanted the nation to grow and expand as a whole. Deciding if slavery would be allowed on the new land led to conflict between the North and South states. Eventually this conflict led to the secession and then the Civil War. -
3/5 Compromise
The 3/5 Compromise was at the constitutional convention. The South wanted slaves counted towards state populations for more representatives. The North did not want that. So they counted 3/5th of all slaves to population and agreed to stop importing slaves after 1808. This is an example of sectionalism because the North and South were trying to benefit themselves instead on focusing on what was best for the nation. -
States' Rights
States' Rights was when southerners felt the federal government was too powerful and taking their sovereignty. They valued their sovereignty because they needed slaves for cash crops. This is an example of sectionalism because the South separated themselves from the rest of the nation. The South feeling like the government was mistreating them eventually led to the secession and the Civil War. -
Compromise of 1820 (Missouri Compromise)
The Missouri Compromise solved the issue of adding Missouri as a slave state by adding Maine as a free state. So neither section had majority in Senate. For the rest of the Louisiana Purchase they made a line at 36° 30'N. States North of it would be free and states South of it would have popular sovereignty. This is an example of sectionalism because the North and South were focused on their own interests and not the Nation's. This increased tensions between the two that led to the Civil War. -
Compromise of 1850
The compromise of 1850 occurred after land was added west of the LA purchase. It admitted California as a free state, gave Texas $10 million and created border with New Mexico. It passed the Fugitive Slave Law and banned Slave Trade in DC. It also established popular sovereignty in Utah and New Mexico. This is an example of sectionalism because both sides were concerned with their own gain instead of the well being of the nation. This divisive compromise pushed the U.S. towards the civil war. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska and allowed for popular sovereignty in both. It resulted in a revolt called “Bleeding Kansas,” as pro and antislavery Americans rushed to the territories to vote. This is an example of sectionalism because they were so committed to their section's ideals that they left their homes to push their interests. This act increased the tensions and violence between the north and south that led to the Civil War. -
Harper's Ferry
Harper's Ferry was an attack by John Brown and an armed group of abolitionists on a federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia. The purpose was to get weapons to arm enslaved people so they could rebel. This is an example of sectionalism because the abolitionists were so loyal to their beliefs that they were willing to violently attack and steal from one of their nation's armories. This was one of the main events that cause the American Civil War. -
Secession
The Secession was the withdrawal of 11 southern slave states as Abraham Lincoln was elected as president. This is a great example of how sectionalism divided the nation because the focus on their own area and beliefs caused them to completely separate from the nation. The Secession was the direct cause of the civil war -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was a proclamation made by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. This proclamation freed all enslaved people and greatly boosted moral in the Civil War. This document helped to inspire the Union to keep fighting and eventually win the war and free the slaves. This is an example of sectionalism because the North is focused on their beliefs even while their nation is splitting apart.