- Slavery: The most fundamental difference between the North and South was the institution of slavery. The South was a slave society, while the North was free. This difference had a profound impact on the social and economic development of the two regions, as well as on the political and ideological conflicts between them.
- Economic development: The North was much more economically developed than the South. The Northern economy was based on industry, commerce, and finance, while the Southern economy was based on agriculture. This difference in economic development led to a number of conflicts, including disputes over tariffs and trade policies.
- Political power: The South was much less politically powerful than the North. The North had a larger population, and its representatives controlled the federal government. This difference in political power led to a number of conflicts, including disputes over the admission of new states into the Union and the extension of slavery into the territories.
- Cultural differences: The North and the South had different cultural traditions and values. The Northern culture was more cosmopolitan and individualistic, while the Southern culture was more traditional and communal. This difference in cultural values led to a number of conflicts, including disputes over education, religion, and social reform.
These were just some of the many differences between the North and the South that increased tensions between the two regions. The combination of these differences led to the American Civil War, which was fought from 1861 to 1865 and resulted in the victory of the North.