Sectionalism
Sectionalism is the placing of the the needs of one section of the nation over the needs of the whole nation. The two different sections were the North and the South. West was a minor section at the time.
The South is primarily based on agriculture and large crops. They are small town, country people. The South used a lot of cotton and tobacco, which takes a very long time to produce. As the demand for cotton became more popular, the South started using slaves, which they thought was perfectly fine since it'll help save time and make more money. Southerns were defending slavery by using the term "white slaves in factories" and said that Northern workers in factories did not get much respect either. Even though the Northern politicians hated to admit it, they were benefiting from slavery.
The North is based on manufacturing.They are a big city, big business people, not like the South. There are many immigrants that live in the South. Since the North is against slavery, immigrants feel it's the only place they have freedom. Even though the Northern farming is terrible, the North is more popular than the South.
Newly gained territory, the West is popular with settlers. After the Manifest Destiny and the expansion, there were gold rushes. This caused a frenzy of settlers, who are trying to become wealthy, to move westward. The West is known for mining and digging up gold. .
The South is primarily based on agriculture and large crops. They are small town, country people. The South used a lot of cotton and tobacco, which takes a very long time to produce. As the demand for cotton became more popular, the South started using slaves, which they thought was perfectly fine since it'll help save time and make more money. Southerns were defending slavery by using the term "white slaves in factories" and said that Northern workers in factories did not get much respect either. Even though the Northern politicians hated to admit it, they were benefiting from slavery.
The North is based on manufacturing.They are a big city, big business people, not like the South. There are many immigrants that live in the South. Since the North is against slavery, immigrants feel it's the only place they have freedom. Even though the Northern farming is terrible, the North is more popular than the South.
Newly gained territory, the West is popular with settlers. After the Manifest Destiny and the expansion, there were gold rushes. This caused a frenzy of settlers, who are trying to become wealthy, to move westward. The West is known for mining and digging up gold. .
Resources:
http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/lesson_29_notes.htm
http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/essays/1801-1900/politics-and-sectionalism-in-the-1850s/introduction.php