As the United States grew, the issue of slavery became increasingly divisive. The North was largely opposed to slavery, while the South was dependent on it for its economy. The issue of slavery led to a number of conflicts between the North and the South, including the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and the Compromise of 1850.
In 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected president. Lincoln was a Republican who opposed the expansion of slavery. His election led to the secession of several Southern states from the Union. The Confederate States of America was formed, and the American Civil War began.
The American Civil War was a bloody and costly conflict. It lasted for four years and resulted in the deaths of over 600,000 people. The war ended with the victory of the North and the abolition of slavery.
Sectionalism was a major cause of the American Civil War. The distinct regional cultures and economies of the North and South led to conflict over the issue of slavery. The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 led to the secession of several Southern states from the Union and the start of the American Civil War.