Road to Disunion
The growing divide between the North and South in the United States during the pre-Civil War era stemmed from several key factors: climate, geography, population demographics, and economics. Stereotypes flourished—Southerners viewed Northerners as greedy capitalists, while Northerners saw Southerners as lazy aristocrats reliant on slave labor. The issues of states' rights and the contentious debate over slavery were central to the South's push for secession, with the Missouri Compromise and Compromise of 1850 attempting to ease tensions that ultimately failed.
Road to Disunion
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Presentation Transcript
Differences North South Climate Geography Population Economics • Climate • Geography • Population • Economics
Stereotypes North • White Southerners: • Were Aristocratic • Lazy • Only successful due to slave labor
Differences South • Southerners believed Northerners were: • Greedy Capitalists • Commercial • Materialistic
Pushing for Secession • To break away from the Union • South Carolina was the first to threaten • Can you interpret this cartoon?
Cause for Secession #1 • States’ Rights: states had the right to reject or ignore national laws… • Tariff of Abominations (does this sound familiar?) • Nullification
Cause #2 • Slavery (supporters vs. abolitionists) • Concern was new states – keeping the # balanced
How can you resolve conflicts? Tried Compromises • Missouri compromise • Compromise of 1850
Missouri Compromise: Part 1 • Maine would enter as ____________ state • Missouri enters as ____________ state
Missouri Compromise: Part 2 • No slavery in the Louisiana territory north of the 36 degrees and 30 minute north latitude • See Map
