CONTENT STATEMENT
- Disputes over the nature of federalism, complicated by economic developments in the United States, resulted in sectional issues, including slavery, which led to the American Civil War.
CONTENT ELABORATION
The federal system of government created by the Constitution raised questions during the first half of the 19th century over the power of the federal government versus the powers reserved to the states. States’ rights arguments were first outlined in the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions of 1798-99.
As the United States continued to grow, sectionalism based on economic characteristics became more distinct. The sections took different positions on key political issues of the day including:
- tariff policy;
- the national bank;
- internal improvements;
- sale of public lands; and
- slavery.
In several key instances, the sectional issues involved arguments over states’ rights:
- Tariff of Abominations; and
- Nullification Crisis of 1832-33.
One sectional issue in particular, the extension of slavery, prompted much debate in the 1800s:
- Missouri Compromise:
- Wilmot Proviso;
- Compromise of 1850; and
- Kansas-Nebraska Act.
The debate over this issue culminated with the South’s exercise of the ultimate states’ right – secession.
The American Civil War was fought to resolve the issues of states’ rights versus a federal union, and whether or not the nation would continue to allow slavery.
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
Compare the positions of sections of the United States on issues from the 1820s through the 1850s.
Summarize how disputes over the nature of federalism fed into sectional issues and helped lead to the American Civil War.