In the NORTH, as industrialization emerged, urbanization occurred as many people, including women and children, left their farms for cities and began working in factories and textile mills. The north had a large population, including many immigrants, many factories and schools, and a widespread network of railroads and canals. Merchants in the north wanted the government protection for its trade and shipping while northern politicians wanted the government to help American businesses by placing tariffs (taxes on imports) on foreign goods. These tariffs would make foreign goods more expensive, which would encourage people to buy American-made products. Many northerners also opposed slavery and would begin speaking out against it in the 1800s.

In the SOUTH the vast majority of people, free and enslaved, were still involved in agriculture. The south lacked the factories, railroads, and schools like the North. The south relied on slavery to keep their economy thriving and the years to come would begin to threaten their livelihoods. Southern politicians wanted the government to help protect and even spread the institution of slavery, which was vital to the production of cash crops–especially cotton. The south, which primarily traded with European nations, opposed tariffs because it forced them to pay higher prices for the products, they bought from their European trade partners.

In the WEST, people were involved in farming their own land growing crops like wheat and corn while others, including immigrants, worked on the railroads or as miners and ranchers. The west had an abundance of raw materials and natural resources (mining for gold/other minerals) and grew rapidly as population increased and new businesses developed. Most opposed slavery, which they believed would result in the creation of large plantations that would take over their small independent farms. Politicians from the west supported tariffs which would help build infrastructure (like roads, railroads, and canals). This would open new markets and help them to transport their resources and products across the nation. They also wanted the government to continue selling cheap land, which would encourage more settlers to move west.