Civil War

The geographical size of the United States, even as the thirteen colonies of England, led to regions of vastly different climates, resources, economies, social and cultural structures, and politics. These differences are referred to as sectionalism. The sectional differences between the northern and southern states in the United States have almost always been present in American society and politics. At times it was seen as a strength. Still, during the 1850s, with the catalysts of territorial expansion and slavery, the sectional conflict became one of the core causes of the American Civil War.

Sectionalism: The increasing contrast between the political values, lifestyles, culture, social structures, customs, and economies of North and South - also known as regionalism, breeds a local loyalty to one’s specific region instead of allegiance to a nation as a whole