Two Cultures, Major Conflicts
Ever since the formation of the United States of America, the North and the South followed different paths. By the mid 1800s, the differences between the two regions were so pronounced that many observers felt like the country was home to two distinct cultures.
The North was becoming more and more industrial and dedicated to free labor and immigration. Many Northerners committed themselves to chasing the American dream of the poor man working hard, making a home for himself, and perhaps even doing great things. Slavery was not common and even banned in some states, and a growing abolitionist movement frequently demanded freedom for all people. The North was also more inclined to support a strong federal government. …show more content…
Many in the North believed that slavery should be contained to its current boundaries. They saw the West as a place for small farmers who worked the land themselves and purchased goods made in the North. Southerners, on the other hand, were eying the expansive western lands with the notion of expanding their plantations and, of course, bringing their slaves with them. A series of compromises kept the situation in a tentative balance until 1860.
Election Upsets
Then came the 1860 presidential election. Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln ran on a platform that called for the prohibition of slavery's expansion in the West. Southerners watched nervously; they saw the Republicans as a bunch of abolitionists who wanted to take away their rights and their slaves.
A few impassioned Southerners called 'Fire-eaters' vigorously called for Southern secession if Lincoln won the election, and many of their neighbors agreed. Lincoln did win, and the South was faced with a choice: remain in the Union with a Republican president or take decisive action and secede.
Eleven States
Ever since the formation of the United States of America, the North and the South followed different paths. By the mid 1800s, the differences between the two regions were so pronounced that many observers felt like the country was home to two distinct cultures.
The North was becoming more and more industrial and dedicated to free labor and immigration. Many Northerners committed themselves to chasing the American dream of the poor man working hard, making a home for himself, and perhaps even doing great things. Slavery was not common and even banned in some states, and a growing abolitionist movement frequently demanded freedom for all people. The North was also more inclined to support a strong federal government. …show more content…
Many in the North believed that slavery should be contained to its current boundaries. They saw the West as a place for small farmers who worked the land themselves and purchased goods made in the North. Southerners, on the other hand, were eying the expansive western lands with the notion of expanding their plantations and, of course, bringing their slaves with them. A series of compromises kept the situation in a tentative balance until 1860.
Election Upsets
Then came the 1860 presidential election. Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln ran on a platform that called for the prohibition of slavery's expansion in the West. Southerners watched nervously; they saw the Republicans as a bunch of abolitionists who wanted to take away their rights and their slaves.
A few impassioned Southerners called 'Fire-eaters' vigorously called for Southern secession if Lincoln won the election, and many of their neighbors agreed. Lincoln did win, and the South was faced with a choice: remain in the Union with a Republican president or take decisive action and secede.
Eleven States