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Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny, the idea that the United States was destined to expand its territory across North America, increased sectionalism by pitting the North and South against each other over the issue of slavery's expansion. The debate over whether slavery should be allowed in new territories and states became a major point of contention, with Northerners opposing its expansion and Southerners demanding its protection. Manifest Destiny only added to the growing divisions between the North and South. -
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Project: What Caused the Civil War
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Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise of 1820, which admitted Missouri as a slave state and banned slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36°30' parallel, may have temporarily resolved the issue of slavery's expansion, but it ultimately increased sectional tensions and contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War. The compromise led to the division of the country into pro-slavery and anti-slavery regions, creating a sense of permanent conflict between the North and South. -
King Cotton
King Cotton, a phrase used by a South Carolina newspaper editor in the 1830s, referred to the economic power of the cotton industry in the Southern states. The success of King Cotton increased sectionalism by making the South dependent on the export of cotton to the North and Europe, which led to a sense of economic superiority among Southerners. This, in turn, fueled their desire to expand slavery into new territories and states, which further divided the North and South. -
Abolitionist Movement
The Abolitionist Movement, particularly the activities of William Lloyd Garrison and his followers, increased sectionalism by challenging the institution of slavery and sparking fierce resistance from Southerners. The movement's tactics, such as the burning of slave-holding documents, outraged many Southerners who felt their way of life was under attack. In response, many Southerners began to view the North as a threat to their property rights, leading to increased tensions and division. -
Mexican-American War
The Mexican-American War increased sectionalism by sparking controversy over the expansion of slavery into new territories, which was a major point of contention between the North and South. The war's outcome, including the U.S. gain of a vast amount of new land, including present-day California, Arizona, and New Mexico, raised questions about the status of slavery in these territories. The war contributed to the eventual secession of 11 Southern states, eventually leading to the Civil War. -
The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 increased sectionalism by attempting to balance the power between the North and South, but ultimately deepened the divisions between the two regions. The compromise failed to address the fundamental issue of slavery's expansion into new territories and states, leading to further tensions and a sense of injustice among Northerners, who felt their rights and freedoms were being compromised. The compromise ultimately laid the groundwork for the events leading up to the C.W. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act, passed as part of the Compromise of 1850, increased sectionalism by requiring Northerners to assist in the capture and return of escaped slaves, violating their moral and legal principles. This act outraged many Northerners, who felt it was an attack on their liberty and freedom, while many Southerners saw it as a necessary measure to protect their property rights. The act's implementation led to violent conflicts, such as the case of Harriet Beecher Stowe's uncle. -
Dred Scott v. Sandford
The Dred Scott v. Sandford Supreme Court decision increased sectionalism by ruling that slaves were not citizens, effectively denying them their constitutional rights. The decision also stated that Congress had no authority to regulate slavery in the territories, which further divided the North and South on the issue of slavery's expansion. Southerners saw the decision as a validation of their right to own slaves, while Northerners saw it as a threat to their moral and political principles. -
Southern Succession
Southern secession, led by South Carolina in December 1860, was a direct response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President, whom many Southerners believed would abolish slavery. The secession of several Southern states, including Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana, was a drastic measure that further increased sectional tensions. The formation of the Confederate States of America solidified the divide between the North and South. Ultimately leading to the Civil War. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
The Battle of Fort Sumter, fought on April 12-13, 1861, was the first battle of the American Civil War and marked the beginning of the conflict between the Union and the Confederacy. The battle, which was sparked by the Confederate attack on Union-held Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, increased sectionalism and led to the Civil War by further polarizing the North and South, creating a sense of urgency and crisis that propelled the country towards secession and conflict.