The Great Debate

2. Sectionalism Divides America Sectionalism - the placing of the needs of one section of the nation over the needs of the whole nation.Sectionalism - the placing of the needs of one section of the nation over the needs of the whole nation.

3. What was the difference between the two sections of the country? The North was primarily industrial in nature. –Business and factory production played major roles in the North. –While the North was not know for its agricultural production, it was the largest producer of grain. –The pace of life was faster. –Most work was done by immigrants from Europe.

4. What was the difference between the two sections of the country? The South was primarily agricultural. The southern economy was fueled by large family farms known as plantations.The South was primarily agricultural. The southern economy was fueled by large family farms known as plantations. –The plantation economy relied on cheap labor in the form of slaves to produce tobacco, rice and then cotton. –Farmers on the plantation did not do the work themselves. –The plantation lifestyle produced a slower more leisurely lifestyle.

5. What issues created the sectional conflict? SlaverySlavery The most important difference between the north and south was slavery.The most important difference between the north and south was slavery. –For the most part most northerners really didn't care about slavery in the beginning. –As time went on, the existence of slavery as well as the extension of slavery into the western territories, became a central issue.

6. Representation - The north and south each wanted power to pass laws that would benefit their section of the country. –This meant that the more states that became "free" or "slave" meant more votes, both in the House, Senate and Electoral College, for that section.

: A tax on imports. 7. Tariffs : A tax on imports. - The South resented all - The South resented all tariffs as they relied on British tariffs as they relied on British imports for more of their everyday imports for more of their everyday goods. They also needed other nations to purchase cotton from their farms. -The North supported tariffs to protect their growing industries by keeping products made in the North cheaper than goods made somewhere else. -The North supported tariffs to protect their growing industries by keeping products made in the North cheaper than goods made somewhere else. -The south became increasingly angered “The Tariff of Abominations" = After this tariff was announced, the south argued they had the right of nullification. (nullification = the power of a state to declare a federal law null and void)

The South feared that the North would continue to pass laws in Congress that would hurt their lifestyle, like restricting slavery or increasing tariffs. The South therefore believed that states should have more rights to govern than the federal (national) government. 8. States Rights – The South feared that the North would continue to pass laws in Congress that would hurt their lifestyle, like restricting slavery or increasing tariffs. The South therefore believed that states should have more rights to govern than the federal (national) government. –The south again claimed they had the right of nullification –The south again claimed they had the right of nullification. –These issues together lead to the SECESSION of southern states. The southern states formed the Confederacy. John C. Calhoun Vs. Daniel Webster

Sumner v. Brooks In May 1856, abolitionist Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts delivered a two-day speech entitled The Crime Against Kansas. He described the 1854 events of “Bleeding Kansas” that occurred there and the South’s agreement with them. During the speech Sumner blamed two politicians, Stephen A. Douglas and Andrew Butler for causing the problems in Kasas. He called Douglas, who was present for the speech, "a noise- some, squat, and nameless animal...not a proper model for an American senator...” He accused Butler, who was in South Carolina on his deathbed, of "taking a mistress..the harlot Slavery." He mocked Butler by stuttering when he used his name (Butler had a stutter).

Sumner v. Brooks Several days later, Butler’s nephew, Congressman Preston Brooks, attacked Sumner with a cane while he was seated at his desk in the Senate chamber. Sumner was beaten into unconsciousness, rendering him incapable of resuming his duties for more than three years. As a mark of how deep the divide was between the two sections, “Bully” Brooks became an instant hero in the South. He was the honored guest at testimonial dinners and amassed a large collection of canes sent to him from admirers. Sumner, for his part, was lauded as a near martyr in the North. Massachusetts re-elected him while he was still unable to take his seat in the Senate.