1. Slavery: The issue of slavery was a major dividing point between the North and South. The Northern states were largely opposed to slavery, while the Southern states relied heavily on slave labor for their agricultural economy. The expansion of slavery into new territories became a heated debate, leading to compromises and confrontations.
2. States' Rights and Sectionalism: The Southern states advocated for states' rights, arguing that they had the right to make their own laws and regulations, including the right to maintain slavery. This clashed with the Northern view of a strong federal government that could regulate interstate commerce and limit the spread of slavery.
3. Economic Differences: The economies of the North and South were significantly different. The North had a more diversified economy based on manufacturing and trade, while the South's economy was largely agrarian, dependent on crops like cotton and tobacco. These economic differences contributed to opposing views on tariffs, taxes, and internal improvements.
4. Political Polarization: The political landscape of the United States was deeply divided, with two major parties: the Democrats, who were largely pro-slavery, and the Republicans, who opposed the expansion of slavery. This political divide led to increased tensions and made it difficult to find compromises.
5. Dred Scott Decision: The 1857 Supreme Court ruling in the Dred Scott case further inflamed tensions. The Court ruled that African Americans were not citizens and could not sue in federal court. This decision outraged many Northerners and increased support for the abolitionist movement.
6. Kansas-Nebraska Act: In 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed, repealing the Missouri Compromise and allowing for the extension of slavery into the new territories of Kansas and Nebraska. This sparked violent clashes between pro- and anti-slavery forces in Kansas and heightened concerns about the spread of slavery.
7. Abraham Lincoln's Election: The election of Abraham Lincoln as president in 1860 on a platform opposed to the expansion of slavery was the final straw for many Southern states. They saw this as a threat to their way of life and believed their states' rights were being violated.
These factors combined to create an atmosphere of mistrust and hostility between the North and South, ultimately leading to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861.