Sectionalism Contribute To The Admission Of States Essay

How did sectionalism contribute to the ongoing debate about the admission of states? Be sure to discuss the Missouri Compromise in your response.
Sectionalism contributed to the ongoing debate about the admission of states by dividing people over the issue of slavery because different regions had different visions for the country. To begin, the north, being mainly composed of manufacturers and food farmers, favored an American economy that was based off of manufacturing. However, the south, being almost entirely composed of those who produced cash crops, favored an American economy based off of farming. Because the Northers were mainly food-farmers and manufacturers, they didn’t have the need for slaves that the south did. The South, which

Due to the fact that these parts of the nation were so strongly divided, the country was drawn into sectionalism. When this happened, many Americans identified with their section, over their country. In addition, because of their differing views on slavery and what the nation’s future should be like, it was crucial that one region’s opponent not gain more supporting states, or that one region would surely lose every battle in Congress. So, when Missouri wanted to enter the union, there was much debate because it had applied as a slave state. However, at that time, there was a perfect balance between free and slave states in Congress. Admitting Missouri would essentially hand all the power to the south. In order to settle both parties’ desires the Missouri Compromise was drawn. It admitted Missouri as a slave state, and simultaneously admitted Maine as a free state to preserve the balance in Congress. Also, to settle future conflicts, or so it was thought until California wanted to join the Union, it also drew an imaginary line through the country at 36ᐤ30’N Latitude. All new states admitted above the line would be free, and all state

To begin, with the addition of new territories to the union, territories that wanted to become states, the conflict surrounding whether or not states would be admitted as free or slave increased greatly. There was also much disagreement over who should decide this important issue. In January of 1850, Senator Henry Clay proposed a five part plan that would serve as a compromise and would satisfy all parties. This plan involved the addition of California as a free state. Importantly, this plan gave the power to decide whether their state would allow or abolish slavery to the residents of Utah and New Mexico, supporting popular sovereignty. It also determined the border between New Mexico and Texas. In addition, to satisfy abolitionists, the slave trade was banned in the nation’s capital. To satisfy slavery-supporters, stricter fugitive slave laws were passed. As one bill, it did not pass, but later Stephen A. Douglas introduced these ideas as separate bills for the Senators to vote on, and each bill passed. By lending itself to the wishes of both parties, the Compromise of 1850 was able to strike a delicate bargain between anti-slavery and slavery