I. Growing Sectionalism

Sectionalism - loyalty to your own region instead of to the nation as a whole. During the 1800’s the United States was divided

into 3 regions. North – Northern states, Free States, against slavery,

economic base was industry and manufacturing South – Southern states, Slave States, supported

slavery, economic base was production of cotton on plantations

West – Western States, Primarily Free states but some Western States, Primarily Free states but some slave states, economic base was farming.slave states, economic base was farming.

II. 3 Main Causes

The main issues dividing the North and the South were differing views regarding states’ rights, the expansion of slavery and the existence of slavery States’ Rights – Powers reserved for the individual states and

state governments rather than the federal (nation) government 10th Amendment in the Bill of Rights Each state has power and authority to choose its own course. Belief in self governance. Nullification – do states have the right to reject federal laws – Y or

N Slavery – Force servitude, based on race. Morally wrong based

on our core beliefs in freedom and self governance. Slavery’s Expansion – Should slavery expand into new

territories? Loss of governmental power if slavery is not allowed to expand.

Fugitive Slave LawsFugitive Slave Laws

18501. It was a law that required all citizen in the

United States to help in the recovery of runaway slaves. Captured persons did not get a jury trial.

2. Slavery becomes a national topic of conversation and more people start standing up against slavery.

Uncle Tom’s CabinUncle Tom’s Cabin

18521. Was a book written by Harriet Beecher

Stowe that depicted slavery and the life of a slave in the South

2. Brought the evils of slavery to the attention of many Americans who were once neutral. Southern’s denied the validity of the book.

Kansas-Nebraska ActKansas-Nebraska Act“Bleeding Kansas”“Bleeding Kansas”

18541. Congress passed a law that allowed the

territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether or not to allow slavery. The Act repealed the Missouri Compromise

2. Pro-slavery and Anti-slavery people rushed to the territories and a bloody mini civil war started in the two territories

Court Case: Dred Scott v. SandfordCourt Case: Dred Scott v. Sandford

18571. A court case where a slave was suing for

his freedom after his owner had died.2. Widened the political gap between the

North and the South by encouraging the growth of slavery by not giving people rights.

John Brown & Harper’s FerryJohn Brown & Harper’s Ferry

18591. John Brown and 21 others attempted to

capture a store of weapons that would be used to destroy slavery by attacking slaveholders and helping runaway slaves

2. Northern Abolitionist hailed Brown a martyr while the South labeled Brown villan.