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Eli Whitney's Cotton Gin
Began sectional tension between southern slave owners and northern factory/industry
Southerners believed in a slave based economy- cheaper and more effective
Slaves would get food, water, shelter and decent working conditions. argued factory people are in poor working conditions, with a horrible pay, putting themselves at risk to survive
North believed that the factory life was better because people were free to live their life, had a job that paid and would help increase economy -
Cotton Gin Continued
The south argued that the cotton gin made slavery more profitable -workers in mills would need more cotton, keep up w/ rapid production
The Cotton Gin was significant because it changed industry, through its increase in textile mills, more efficient ways to work to enhance industry. It created tension between the North and the South due to the disparity between slaves and industry. Morals and efficiency in the economy were challenged with different ideas on how to reach economic success -
American System Continued
South believed that having the system, along with the national bank would favor the North due to their further economic progression in industry and manufacturing. They felt they would be at a disadvantage geographically and didn't want to change the system the South had between themselves. The North felt like the system would help increase industry and manufacturing, putting them higher in the economy and make America more successful.
Tensions and controversy were brought to question -
American System Continued
An economic development created by Congressman, Henry Clay. He believed that it is the federal government’s job to implement protective tariffs, internal improvements and to create a national bank (2nd Bank of America, charter for the 1st had expired) to regulate the economy, if not jump start industry and eliminate foreign competition in manufacturers.
Led to separation due to the favoring of the North -
Missouri Compromise
Established a line (36-30) to determine what states would be free (states above the border) and slave states (states below the border) in exchange for Maine being admitted as free, Missouri as slave
Tension was brought about due to moralistic differences between pro-slavery and anti-slave people in North and South
Led to secession because it created a border of separation between the North and the South, not just physically, but morally and ideals. -
Missouri Continued
Significant to the sectionalism in America because it regioned off the industry-focused, the frontier focused and the slave focused sections. It promoted individual government focuses in the three varying regions
The cohesion between the north and west (majority free states) frustrated the South because they were not included in commerce and industry due to their differing views on slavery.
was made by Congress to avoid sectional tension by stopping the spread of slavery, but made it worse -
Election of 1828
Andrew Jackson (Democratic) versus John Quincy Adams (National Republican) both ran for Presidency. Henry Clay, who was favorable to Adams, led the House of Representatives to vote for Adams after tying with Jackson. Clay had used Adams by promising him the role as President if Clay was promised the role as the Secretary of State. While Jackson won the popular vote and the Electoral College votes, Adams had won the Presidency of 1828. -
Election of 1828 Continued
This election showed the corruption of politics by leading to the secession of the South; these politics, practicing both loose and strict constructionism, showed the differing governmental ideals (through candidates, political tactics and priorities on policies within the government). The North and the South were vital in showing that disparity. This difference in their political views separated them further, making them incohesive both in politics and in economic prosperity. -
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The Railroad Revolution: The Iron Horse
The Railroad was the most iconic form of transportation to hit the nation. The Iron Horse, as it is more commonly known as, was an immense help in traveling west into the frontier, commerce and delivery of mail between the West and North, while also creating a whole new dynamic for manufacturing, industry and building the American economy. Employment rates increased due to the need for those to help build the railroad tracks, the locomotives itself, and the stations. -
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The Iron Horse Continued
While it was beneficial to the West and the North to increasing manufacturing, commerce and expansion into the West, the South was hardly participating in the railroad movement. This played a significant role in the sectional tension. The railroads were hardly created into the deep South, making them cut off from commerce ties, less communication and a stronger economic connection between the North and West. It was a large player in tensions, while also making the South not as economic prosper. -
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
Signed following Mexican-American War in 1848 by Mexico, where they surrendered and agreed to peace negotiations; US gave $15 million for 525,000 square miles of territory in the Western half of America and end negative talk of Mexico in the US
Caused confusion and disparity between the North and South due to the lack of control over who has claims on the new territory. Creates an unwarranted battle between the north and south to obtain the territory AND have it settle as a slave/free state -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Passed by Congress in opposition of Missouri Compromise; Kansas and Nebraska were to decide if they wanted to be a free/slave state
Caused an immense of chaos in Kansas; both anti- and pro- slavery supporters rushed to take hold of Kansas in order to have the state be slave or free state (Bloody Kansas)
North knew of slavery, but didn’t want it to expand into their problem. Believed that raising the 36-30 line would give too much power to Southern slave owners -
Kansas-Nebraska Continued
Was significant from intense amount of violence/ controversy over the declaration of Kansas and Nebraska. Chaos from its prevention of spreading slavery. It was a way to try to bring cohesion to the states, but rather, increased the clashing of heads and battling values. Was seen as a way to allow slavery to spread North and interfere with the progress in industry/ settling the Frontier. no middle ground between the two extreme beliefs of the Northern industry workers and Southern agrarians.