5.5 Sectional Conflict: Regional Differences

7 min read•january 12, 2023

Caleb Lagerwey

Riya Patel

Caleb Lagerwey

Riya Patel

AP US History 🇺🇸

454 resources

See Units

Immigration Changes in the USA

Germans 🇩🇪 and Irish 🇮🇪 Catholics✟ emigrated to the US in large numbers, they began to change the makeup of the US, particularly in Northern cities. There was a Nativist (the belief that longer-residing citizens need to be protected from recent immigrants) backlash in the form of the American Party (Know-Nothing Party) and increased interest in temperance.

Immigrants often settled in ethnic neighborhoods to preserve their culture and because of racism.

Out in California, there was a backlash against Mexicans, Californios, and Chinese living there, especially as many were seen as job competition or obstacles for land exploitation (mining or ranching).

Sectional Tensions Over Slavery

Slavery was a major source of sectional tension between the North and the South in the lead-up to the American Civil War. The North had largely abolished slavery by the mid-19th century and many Northerners opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories and states. In contrast, the South relied heavily on slavery as a cornerstone of its economy and society, and many Southerners saw the abolition of slavery as a threat to their way of life.

This disagreement over the future of slavery was at the heart of many of the political and economic conflicts between the North and the South, and it ultimately led to the outbreak of the Civil War. Some of the specific issues that contributed to sectional tensions over slavery included:

The expansion of slavery into new territories: Both the North and the South wanted to expand westward, but there was disagreement over whether or not slavery should be allowed in the new territories. This issue was at the center of the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which both attempted to address the question of slavery in the western territories.
The abolition of slavery: Many Northerners were actively working to end slavery, while many Southerners saw this as a threat to their way of life and economy. This disagreement contributed to the growing rift between the North and the South.
The Fugitive Slave Act: This law, passed in 1850, required Northerners to assist in the capture and return of runaway slaves. Many Northerners opposed this law as a violation of their rights, which further increased tensions between the North and the South.
The Dred Scott decision: This Supreme Court decision in 1857 held that African Americans, whether free or enslaved, were not citizens and had no rights under the Constitution. This decision further inflamed tensions between the North and the South and was a significant factor leading up to the Civil War.

Abolitionists were people who actively worked to end slavery in the United States and around the world. Abolitionists, although a minority in the North, got louder and more aggressive, thus making the South angrier. Some examples include:

John Brown & Bleeding Kansas
John Brown & Harper’s Ferry
William Lloyd Garrison & The Liberator
Frederick Douglass and the North Star
Underground Railroad, which needed to extend to Canada now because of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850
Personal Liberty Laws: the North passed these laws to undermine and nullify the new Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, arguing that states have the right to be free states and to refuse to cooperate in returning fugitive slaves.

Slaveholders in the South got louder too, arguing that slavery was okay via racism and paternalism: they thought Africans were inherently inferior because of bad science or bad theology, and they thought slavery was beneficial to slaves themselves (John C. Calhoun argued slavery was a “positive good”). Southerners also defended slavery because it was connected to property rights as enshrined in the US Constitution.

🎥 Watch: AP US History - Sectional and Regional Differences

Books on Slavery

There are many books that address the issue of slavery from a variety of perspectives. Some books argue in favor of slavery, while others argue against it. Here are a few examples of books that address the issue of slavery from both pro and con viewpoints:

Pro-slavery books:

"The Institution of Slavery as It Exists in the United States" is a book written by William Harper in 1857 that argues in favor of the institution of slavery.

In the book, Harper defends slavery as a natural and necessary part of society, and he asserts that it is not only beneficial for the economy, but also for the slaves themselves. Harper argues that slaves are better off under the care and protection of their masters, and he asserts that they are not capable of managing their own affairs. He also claims that slavery is a benign and beneficent institution that is not harmful to slaves, and he suggests that abolitionists are motivated by a desire to sow discord and disorder in society.

"An Essay on Slavery and Abolitionism" is a book written by Catharine E. Beecher in 1837 that argues in favor of the institution of slavery. Beecher was a teacher, author, and abolitionist, and she wrote the book as a response to the growing abolitionist movement in the United States.

In the book, Beecher asserts that slavery is a necessary and beneficial institution that is supported by the Bible and natural law. She argues that slaves are better off under the care and protection of their masters, and she asserts that they are not capable of managing their own affairs. Beecher also claims that slavery is a benign and beneficent institution that is not harmful to slaves, and she suggests that abolitionists are motivated by a desire to sow discord and disorder in society.

Anti-slavery books:

"Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass" is an autobiography written by Frederick Douglass in 1845. Douglass was a former slave who escaped to freedom and became a leading abolitionist and civil rights activist. In his book, he describes his experiences as a slave and the harsh realities of life under slavery.

Douglass writes about the physical abuse, mental suffering, and dehumanization that he and other slaves endured, and he argues that slavery is a cruel and evil institution that is fundamentally at odds with the principles of liberty and equality. He also writes about the ways in which slaves resisted their oppression, and he calls for the immediate abolition of slavery.

"The Anti-Slavery Examiner" was a periodical published by the American Anti-Slavery Society (AASS) in the early 1840s. It was edited by William Lloyd Garrison, a prominent abolitionist and advocate for the abolition of slavery in the United States. The magazine was devoted to promoting the cause of abolition and exposing the evils of slavery.

It featured articles, essays, and editorials on a wide range of topics related to slavery, including the slave trade, the treatment of slaves, and the efforts of abolitionists to end slavery. The magazine was published monthly and was widely circulated throughout the country. It played a significant role in the abolitionist movement and helped to mobilize public opinion against slavery.

"Uncle Tom's Cabin" is an anti-slavery novel by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe. It was published in 1852 and quickly became one of the best-selling novels in the United States. The book was influential in building support for the abolition of slavery and is often credited with helping to fuel the abolitionist movement in the United States.

The novel tells the story of a slave named Uncle Tom, who is sold by his owner and endures a series of hardships and abuses before ultimately finding freedom. The book is notable for its portrayal of the harsh realities of slavery and the deep humanity and dignity of the enslaved characters. It was widely read and discussed in both the North and the South, and its publication helped to bring the issue of slavery to the forefront of public discourse.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia

Uncle Tom’s Cabin

"Uncle Tom's Cabin" is an anti-slavery novel written by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe and published in 1852. The novel tells the story of Uncle Tom, a kind and faithful slave, and his struggle to survive and maintain his dignity in the face of the cruelty and injustice of the American slave system. The novel was a bestseller at the time of its publication and was a key factor in the growing abolitionist movement in the United States. It was widely read and adapted into plays and films, and it has had a lasting impact on American literature and culture.

Impending Crisis of the South

"The Impending Crisis of the South" is a book written by American journalist Hinton Rowan Helper and published in 1857. The book is a polemical attack on slavery and the economic and social impact of slavery on the Southern states of the United States. Helper argued that slavery was a drain on the South's economy and a hindrance to its progress, and he called for its abolition. The book was highly controversial at the time of its publication and was widely denounced in the South, where it was seen as an attack on the region's way of life. It was also influential in shaping the views of many Northern abolitionists and is considered an important work in the history of the abolitionist movement.

Southern Reaction

The Southern reaction to "The Impending Crisis of the South" and other attacks on slavery was generally one of outrage and condemnation. Southern leaders and pro-slavery advocates argued that slavery was a necessary and beneficial institution that was essential to the South's economy and way of life. They accused abolitionists of trying to interfere in the internal affairs of the South and of seeking to destroy the region's economy and way of life. Southern states also passed laws that prohibited the distribution of abolitionist literature and made it illegal to teach slaves to read or write, in an effort to suppress the abolitionist movement. The Southern reaction to the abolitionist movement was a key factor in the tensions and conflicts that ultimately led to the American Civil War.

🎥 Watch: AP US History - Road to the Civil War

Browse Study Guides By Unit

🌽Unit 1 – Interactions North America, 1491-1607

🦃Unit 2 – Colonial Society, 1607-1754

🔫Unit 3 – Conflict & American Independence, 1754-1800

🐎Unit 4 – American Expansion, 1800-1848