Question

Explain how the territorial expansion of the United States in the first half of the 19th century reveal deep divisions in American politics.How did Americans attempt to resolve these differences before 1860?

Answer 1

The expansion brought up the issue of slavery, which divided both the North and the South. The North had industrialized itself, creating less of a need for slavery, and they for the most part were against slavery. The South still used slaves for their plantations, and they wanted to keep slavery to reap profits. The Supreme Court tried to absolve the issue of slavery in Dred Scott vs. Sandford, but this only angered the North more. This issue was one that eventually led towards the Civil War.