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Invention of the Cotton Gin
The invention of the Cotton Gin was created in the early 19th century by Eli Whitney. This invention is what would increase slavery more than anything. The Cotton Gin simply sped of the process of creating cotton. It was sought out to slave owners who realized it was a much more efficient way of keeping a powerful plantation. This invention would lead to the most dividing factor of slavery and sectionalism. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was the base for the development of sectionalism. It created Missouri and slave state and Maine a free state. The 36' 30 line (a part of the compromise) quite literally separated the states, pushing any states north of the line to be free states. Since there were very different opinions on slavery, this compromise showed the continuous growth of sectionalism. -
Compromise of 1850 (Pt 1)
The compromise of 1850 was an attempt to end slavery. After the Mexican war there had been new states, and this compromise was to prohibit slavery in the new states, ultimately trying to prevent sectionalism between the North and South. This compromise lifted the slave trade in D.C. and added California as a free state, but gave Utah and Mexico the decision whether they wanted to become a free state or not. -
Compromise of 1850 (Pt 2)
Although this was ultimately created to end the division of sectionalism, everyone did not see eye to eye on it being a compromise. Some saw it easy for the north to impede against with things like the Fugitive Slave act. Which lead to a compromise that did not necessarily solve anything. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
This book was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, focusing on the struggles and brutal treatments that slaves have to go through. Since the south was a main target for slavery, this book did not do them any good. In fact, it degraded the support of the South, and any of their support from other countries. This establishment of this book created more pressure, to the already existing pressure within the North and South. So much that the Civil war started a month after the novel being published. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This act created popular sovereignty, which simply nullified the Missouri Comp. This gave the N. states the opportunity to decide whether they want to permit slavery. Kansas and Nebraska had to option and Kansas entered as a slave state and Nebraska as a free state. As this occurred the North was afraid of slavery expanding. Which lead to "Bleeding Kansas" where supporters and non supporters of slavery swayed the decision. This act created more division within the new states. -
Bleeding Kansas
With the unanswered decision from Kansas with whether it was going to enter as a slave state or not, this event occurred. A flood of opposing sides entered the state breaking out in opposition. Because of all the diversity and division between the states, this was known to be one of the "first battles" of the Civil War. Ultimately showing more sectionalism than ever before. -
Election of 1860
This election was ultimately a discussion on succession, abolition, the expansion of slavery, and the power of federal and state governments. The republican Lincoln was up against Democrat Douglass. Lincoln didn't seem to stand a chance because of the strong opinion on slavery and support from the north for Douglass. Lincoln received enough electoral votes and less than half of the popular vote to become the president. This followed with multiple states declaring themselves sovereign conf states