It was a competition because the economic system that most European countries at that time was called mercantilism, the belief that a country's power is based on its wealth or gold. If my country had a lot of colonies in the New World, we would get more wealth, and therefore, we would be more powerful.
I would argue that C Lincoln's election led most directly to the secession of Southern states. The 1860 election resulted in the victory of Abraham Lincoln despite his poor showing (and in some states, not even appearing) on the ballot. Lincoln represented a hard-line against Southern slavery and thus served as a sort of an accumulation of other events such as Harper's Ferry and the Dred Scott decision. However, many historians have spilled gallons of ink writing in favor or in opposition of my opinion!
The Onion. It's round shape symbolized eternity.
I recall the USSR being the answer.
Answer:
Jefferson violated states’ rights by his purchase of the Louisiana Territory.