Regional Tensions And Identities During The Civil War

Prior to the Civil War, regional tensions and identities had been developing for decades. For example, the Missouri Compromise was an effort to maintain balance between slave states and free states in the Senate. In another effort to maintain balance between the north and the south, the 1850 Compromise tipped the balance of power to South. The two regions also developed different economies; in effect, culture and demographics were vastly different. Thus, during the civil war, regional identities were vastly differed over the idea of slavery, women's rights, and immigrant involvement. Due to the importance of slavery to its economy, the south held very different ideals than the north. For instance, during the Civil War, the North's Emancipation

Many of the declarations of succession from the Confederate States mentioned slavery as a prime motive. Furthermore, South Carolinian senator John C. Calhoun was notorious for his racist legislation and speeches. On the flip side, many former slaves fled to the north and participated in the abolitionist movement, such as Fredrick Douglas.The North's industrialization, partly due to the Second Market Revolution, grew women's rights. The use of women in textile mills proved their vitality and equality to men. Although they did not receive such acknowledgment in law, their participation in the factories as a income source was in starch contrast to the south. Southern women usually were stay at home wives demanded to take care of the children, cook, and clean. They had worse education than the north as well. The north also had stronger women's rights movements. The famous Seneca Falls Convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York. Finally, the North's industrialization also drew immigration. Many immigrants sought for economic refuge in America; thus, the immigrants took advantage of the North's heavy infrastructure and factory life. Because of their cheap labor, northern factories took advantage of immigrants, in