The Similarities And Differences Of Northern And Southern States In 1860-1861

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The northern and southern states of America gradually grew to become very different in both ideas but also economically. One of the prevailing ideas that differed between both regions was slavery. In the north, the economy was mostly composed of the manufacturing industry while in the south the economy was mostly based on agriculture. Seeing as how the south was dependent on slaves for their workforce in agriculture it only makes sense that they would highly oppose any conflicting views and laws. Any freedom given to slaves was a threat to the souths livelihood. The US as a whole had $3,000,000,000 of wealth invested in the slave population (Secession Map and Wealth in Slaves, 2). Using the percentages of the state's composition of slaves in 1860-1861 we can see that states who seceded first were of high slave population with its lowest percentage at a significant 30% and its highest at 57% (Secession Map and …show more content…

In its declaration Texas early on states that it decided to join the Confederacy to preserve the institution of slavery and gain a more reliable government. “The Federal Government, while but partially under the control of these our unnatural and sectional enemies, has for years almost entirely failed to protect the lives and property of the people of Texas against the Indian savages on our border, and more recently against the murderous forays of banditti from the neighboring territory of Mexico” (Declaration of Causes, 4). The previous quote clearly reads out how Texas was not feeling supported by the government and as such felt that they offered no security. Texas also felt like the balance of representation of slave-states was not in equilibrium. Texas also stated that the north has been constantly inciting internal conflict by supporting slave rebellions and preventing the recapturing of slaves (Declaration of Causes,