Divisive Sectional Issues Of The 1950's

“Mr. Lincoln says that this government cannot endure permanently in the same condition in which it was made by its framers – divided into free and slave states” campaigns Stephen A. Douglas in the Lincoln – Douglas debates of 1858(1). Well before the eruption of sectional hostility in 1861, Americans clashed over the conception of liberty and slavery. Slavery expanded both demographically and geographically in the Southern states and in the recently acquired Southwest. An emerging aggressive form of abolitionism increased in the northern region and debates over liberty and slavery became entangled in almost every part of American social and political life. In the 1950’s, the emergence of intense sectional discord would finally lead to disunion

“A house divided against itself,” Lincoln announced, “cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free” (2). Lincoln saw the implications of a necessary decision for Americans between favoring slavery and opposing it. Lincoln held that freedom was the opposition to slavery while Douglas argued that essence of freedom was in the hands of self-government and individual self-determination (496). These opposing views reflected the sectional division of the people in each region. In order for the nation to expand into the western regions, compromise or conflict would precede it. Pro-slavery activists proclaimed that “Slaves are property” and “the government doesn't have any rights to distinguish between forms of property” (video) viewing the Founder’s Union enshrined property rights in man (video). Southerners disputed that American definitions of liberty inherently sanctioned slaveholding. Northern abolitionists opposed saying “it's not just another form of property” but rather “slavery was immoral” (video). The expansion of slavery was not merely an issue of morality for Southerners, but held political

“Lincoln identified the westward expansion of slavery as the key issue” (video). The issue brings in the question of the delicate balance of power in the Congress. “Just as northerners believed westward expansion essential to their economic well-being, southern leaders became convinced that slavery must expand or die” writes Eric Foner (483). Without slavery expanding with the addition of new states, slave states would permanently assume a minority position of representation within government. The interests of Southern pro-slavery states would not be secure in a Union subjugated by non-slaveholding states. Although Lincoln rallied to preserve the Union, secession was