Examples Of Sectionalism In The United States

Sectionalism in the United States “A house divided against itself cannot stand”, said the president Abraham Lincoln. His words did not come out of nothing, but of the events happening in his lands during his term. One of the most efficacious episode in the history of the United States was the Civil War of 1861. As the 1800s went by, Nationalism seemed to emerge triumphant, meaning stronger sectional rivalries developed between two sections of the U.S. Historians conclude that the division between the North, known as the Free State, and the South, the slave states, had been adding up since the beginning of the eighteenth century, starting with small differences among the citizens. What Lincoln meant is that Sectionalism had taken control over

Both sections were fighting over representational issues within the government. Each wanted power to pass laws that would benefit them and their interests. Since more and more territories were becoming states, becoming a “free” or “slave” state meant more support and votes in the Electoral College, the Senate and the House for the region they would become part of. Due to this, more competition and tension started growing between them. What ultimately sealed the start of the division, what literally drew the line, was the Missouri Compromise. In 1817, the Missouri territorial assembly applied for statehood. Since it already owned three thousand slaves, it was pretty clear to them that they would join the Union as a Slave State. Northerners, or anti-slavery citizens, became anxious to this subject since it altered the balance between the amount of Free states and slave states. To alleviate things, Congress passed the Missouri Compromise in 1820 saying that Missouri passes as a slave state, meanwhile Maine passes as a Free State, so both sections would end satisfied. Also, this law prohibited slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36° 30´ latitude line and allowed it below of the line so the Senate could keep balance of power in the Union. These agreement temporally settled the argument over slavery in certain territories, but it made the tension increase between these two groups of people. Another problem they started having between themselves were the tariffs. Meanwhile the North used the tariffs to protect their industries, the south was unsatisfied with them. At some point they became angered with congress which led to the Nullification Crisis in South Carolina. Occurrences like these shows that the south is no longer pleased with the North since they opposed what the Northerners approved of. Tension and divisions is not only increasing in the working ground and in the houses,