The Great DebateThe Great Debate

2. Sectionalism Divides 2. Sectionalism Divides America America

• Sectionalism - Sectionalism - the placing of the the placing of the needs of one needs of one section of the section of the nation over the nation over the needs of the needs of the whole nation.whole nation.

3. What was the difference 3. What was the difference between the two sections of between the two sections of

the country? 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 4. What was the difference between the two sections of between the two sections of

the country?the country?• The SouthThe South was was primarily primarily agriculturalagricultural. The . The southern economy was southern economy was fueled by large family farms fueled by large family farms known as plantations. known as plantations. – The plantation economy The plantation economy

relied on cheap labor in relied on cheap labor in the form of slaves to the form of slaves to produce tobacco, rice produce tobacco, rice and then cotton. and then cotton.

– Farmers on the Farmers on the plantation did not do the plantation did not do the work themselves. work themselves.

– The plantation lifestyle The plantation lifestyle produced a slower more produced a slower more leisurely lifestyle. leisurely lifestyle.

5. What issues created the 5. What issues created the sectional conflict? sectional conflict?

• SlaverySlavery

• The most important The most important difference between the north difference between the north and south was slavery. and south was slavery. – For the most part most For the most part most

northerners really didn't care northerners really didn't care about slavery in the beginning. about slavery in the beginning.

– As time went on, the existence As time went on, the existence of slavery as well as the of slavery as well as the extension of slavery into the extension of slavery into the western territories, became a western territories, became a central issue.central issue.

6. 6. RepresentationRepresentation - The north and south - The north and south each wanted power to pass laws that each wanted power to pass laws that would benefit their section of the country. would benefit their section of the country. – This meant that the more states that became This meant that the more states that became

"free" or "slave" meant more votes, both in the "free" or "slave" meant more votes, both in the House, Senate and Electoral College, for that House, Senate and Electoral College, for that section. section.

7. Tariffs: A tax on imports.: A tax on imports. - - The The SouthSouth resented all 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 goods. They also needed other

nations to purchase cotton from nations to purchase cotton from

their farms. their farms.

-The -The NorthNorth supported tariffs to protect their growing industries by supported tariffs to protect their growing industries by keeping products made in the North cheaper than goods made keeping products made in the North cheaper than goods made somewhere else. somewhere else.

-The south became increasingly angered. -The south became increasingly angered.

-1828 “The Tariff of Abominations" = After this tariff was -1828 “The Tariff of Abominations" = After this tariff was announced, the south argued they had the right of announced, the south argued they had the right of nullificationnullification. (nullification = the power of a state to declare a . (nullification = the power of a state to declare a federal law null and void)federal law null and void)

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