Sectionalism Research Paper

Sometimes when a ruling authority decide what they think is the “best” for their country, sectionalism evolves. Sectionalismisloyalty to the interests of one's own region or section of the country, rather than the nation as a whole. In simple words,it means one would only strive toimprove their town or area, rather than improving the country. An example of sectionalism would be during Andrew Jackson’s presidency. The decisions made during Jackson’s president caused sectionalism itself to manifest. Signs of sectionalism showed after Congress released the Tariff of 1828, the vetoing of the re-chartering of the Bank of the United States, and Jackson refusing to admit Texas as a state. The Tariff of 1828 was a major factor that contributed to the emerging sectional conflicts during Andrew Jackson’s presidency. Passed by Congress in 1828, it was aimed to protect the booming industries in the north and tax the south on imported goods such as wool, fur, liquor, etc. The South was angry at paying a high amount on imported goods, since it harmed their economy. As a result, South Carolina threatened secession from the Union. Congress, hoping to make things work better for the south, issued the Tariff
If Texas was to be admitted to the Union, then that means there would be 13 slave states and 12 free states, breaking the whole point of the Missouri Compromise. The Missouri Compromise called for all states above the 36 degree 30 line to be free, and the states under that line would be slave states, bringing a fair balance between slave states and free states. The Northerners were uneasy with Texas since they didn’t want Texas to be admitted to the Union, otherwise there would be more slave states than