The Great DebateThe Great Debate

Sectionalism Divides Sectionalism Divides America America

• SectionalismSectionalism - - the placing of the the placing of the needs of one needs of one section of the section of the country over the country over the needs of the needs of the whole country.whole country.

What was the difference What was the difference between the two sections? between the two sections?

•The North – Business / Industrial economy.

–Business and industry played major roles.

–Education and Cities Develop–Life was faster and commerce

important.

What was the difference What was the difference between the two sections?between the two sections?

• The SouthThe South – – • Agricultural EconomyAgricultural Economy. . • The southern economy was The southern economy was

primarily based upon the primarily based upon the existence of existence of large family large family farms known as plantationsfarms known as plantations. . – The plantation economy relied The plantation economy relied

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

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

– Industry, Cities, Education grow Industry, Cities, Education grow slowly slowly

– Less Opportunity and Less Opportunity and DevelopmentDevelopment

What issues created the What issues created the sectional conflict? sectional conflict?

• SlaverySlavery - The most - The most important difference between important difference between the north and south.the north and south.

• Most northerners really didn't Most northerners really didn't care about slavery in the care about slavery in the beginning beginning

• As time went on, the As time went on, the existence, and the extension existence, and the extension of slavery into the western of slavery into the western territories, became the territories, became the central issue.central issue.

• RepresentationRepresentation – (Voting) – (Voting)

• The north and south each wanted power to The north and south each wanted power to pass laws in Congress that would benefit their pass laws in Congress that would benefit their “section”. “section”.

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

• Tariffs: : • A tax on importsA tax on imports• Protects domestic businessProtects domestic business

from Foreign competitionfrom Foreign competition

- The - The South OPPOSED South OPPOSED all tariffs as they all tariffs as they relied on British imports for more of their relied on British imports for more of their everyday goods. They also needed other everyday goods. They also needed other

nations to purchase cotton from their farms. nations to purchase cotton from their farms.

-The -The North SUPPORTED North SUPPORTED tariffs to protect their growing tariffs to protect their growing industries the south became increasingly angered. industries the south became increasingly angered. -1828 “The Tariff of Abominations" = the south then argued -1828 “The Tariff of Abominations" = the south then argued

they had the right of they had the right of nullificationnullification. (nullification - the power . (nullification - the power of a state to declare a federal law null and void.)of a state to declare a federal law null and void.)

• States Rights - vs. Federal Gov’t Power• This issue is a direct outgrowth of the This issue is a direct outgrowth of the South's fear that the North would pass South's fear that the North would pass

laws that would hurt it's lifestylelaws that would hurt it's lifestyle. Some examples would be tariffs and laws . Some examples would be tariffs and laws to restrict or abolish slavery. to restrict or abolish slavery.

– 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. They form 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.