Rise of American Sectionalismin the early 19th century

What is sectionalism?

Sectionalism – loyalty to the interests of one’s region (section) of the country as opposed to nationwide interests

Issue of sectional differences not new: consider conflicts between big states and small states in the early years of the Republic

In the 19th century, sectional differences between North and South in particular became a major source of tension

Money Money Money

Region Type of Economy/labor Regional desires

North

South

West

Tensions stemmed primarily from the economic differences that existed between each region…

How do you think their different desires might raise problems?

Roots of sectional conflict

While economic differences were at the heart of sectional tensions, they tended to play out in debates over four key issues:

Slavery Representation Tariffs States’ rights

These issues became even more important as Americans tried to figure out what to do with land they had gained in the 1840s…

Slavery and Representation

Debates involving slavery and representation in government dates back to the Constitution!

In the 19th century, the issue of representation shifts to concept of slave states versus free states: Congress needs to maintain balance!

First place where this becomes a problem: MISSOURI

How do you solve a problem like Missouri? Missouri applies for admission into Union in

1817 as a slave state…why is this a problem? 11 slave states + 11 free states = balanced Union Adding Missouri would upset the balance!

Result: representatives of Northern states want to ban slavery in Missouri

In response, Southern states claim that Congress does not have the power to ban slavery

Missouri Compromise (1820)

Henry Clay offers Congress a compromise: Missouri is admitted

as a slave state Maine is admitted as

a free state Slavery is banned in

the Louisiana Territory north of 36 ˚ 30’ (Missouri’s southern border)

But is this really a good compromise?

The Tariff of Abominations Tariff = a tax added to the

cost of goods imported from another country (see page 364)

Northern states tended to support protective tariffs, but the South did not…why?

Differing opinions over the tariff issue ultimately led to conflict in 1828 with the passing of the “Tariff of Abominations”

Nullification Crisis!

Leading state against the tariff:

South Carolina

To John C. Calhoun comes up with the doctrine of nullification, which asserted that a state has the right to reject a federal law deemed unconstitutional.

At the heart of Calhoun’s ideas was the concept of states’ rights vs federal control

Major debate emerges in U.S. Senate – do individual states have the right to nullify a law? Senators Webster (MA) and Hayne (SC) represent

the two major sides of the debate… Webster people, not the states, make up the Union,

therefore nullification is unlawful Hayne nullification gives the states a lawful way to

maintain a balance of power with the federal government

Where does sectionalism play a role?

The Challenge of States’ Rights

Nullification and Secession

Although Jackson tries to address SC’s concerns, the crisis almost leads to military confrontation when South Carolina threatens to secede

Violence is averted with a compromise by Henry Clay, but this is not the last time South Carolina will threaten the Union with secession….