Slavery Vs. Federalism In The United States

Many events in early American history contributed to the beginning of the American Civil War. These causes encompassed many events that led to disagreement and disputation. Political figures and parties clashed, and sectionalism became inherent in America. The differences between area’s ideals and cultures drove America to Civil War. The topics of slavery, its social and economic significance, and states’ rights vs federalism were the two leading dividing forces between the North and South. However, political failures contributed to the hostility between the North and South. The issue of slavery played an enormous role in the causes that led to the Civil War. The debate over the expansion of slavery into new territory gained from the Mexican American War resulted in dispute between political figures, political parties, and American Citizens. The expansion of slavery brought the issue to the table. The morality of slavery was questioned by some in the North, however the South defended it as part of their culture. The North disobeyed laws and sheltered runaway slaves which enraged the South and led to a stricter fugitive slave law which in turn upset the North. The issue divided the nation due to opposing beliefs, cultures, and economies.
Federalism was another dividing factor between the Northern and Southern United states. The South favored states’ rights and often felt as if their rights were being violated. On several occasions some Southern states attempted to nullify federal laws, as seen in Jefferson and Madison’s Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions. At some points, Southern states even threatened secession from the United States, as in the South Carolina Exposition. In both cases, the South felt as if they were being discriminated against and that they were suffering while the North benefited. The election of Abraham Lincoln finally split the South from the North due to the Southern sentiment that politics were controlled by the