United, for Now 8-4.2 How did racial tensions lead to the sectionalism across the country in the in the early 19th century?

Sectionalism Sectionalism is an intense focus on local or regional issues or needs. Nationalism is pride or patriotism for one’s country.

Sectionalism Many events during the Antebellum Period united the country in a number of ways. The forces of unity, however, did not compare to the forces of division that gradually split the country apart and ended in civil war.

The North The South Sectionalism in the United States Economy was primarily based on agriculture. Was mostly rural and spread out with many farms and plantations and few cities. Relied on slave labor to fuel the agricultural economy. Slavery was an important part of the southern way of life an critical to the southern economy. Southerners did not want slavery to be abolished. With westward expansion, Southerners believed that these states should be allowed to become slave states. Southerners did not support tariffs. They believed that the tariffs discriminated against them and caused them to pay a higher price for importing European goods. They felt England might buy less cotton. Southerners tended to be Democratic-Republican followers of Thomas Jefferson who called themselves Republicans. Generally supported states rights Economy was primarily industrial in nature. Had many urban area with industry concentrated there. Relied on free labor. Would see an increase in European immigration as workers flooded cities looking for work. Slavery would become an issue. Many northerners opposed slavery or the expansion of it and there was a growing abolitionist movement that wanted to make slavery illegal. Many northern states would make slavery illegal. With westward expansion, northerners believed states added should be free of slavery. Northerners supported tariffs which they thought would boost support for American made products. New Englanders tended to be Federalists (and later Whigs). Generally supported a strong central government.