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First documented case of colonial slave ownership
With the downfall of the indentured servant model, slavery rapidly grew in popularity as a new form of cheap labor. This proved to be highly controversial, as many found human ownership to be mortally wrong. The morality of slavery was a constant debate for almost 200 years in the lead up to the civil war. As the civil war approached, these differing ideas became reasons for violence. -
Rise of Political Parties in America
Upon his retirement in 1796, President George Washington warned the American public about the dangers of political parties. Nevertheless, the Republican and Federalist parties formed. Federalists generally tended to accumulate in the North, while the Republicans resided in the South, contributing to the rise of sectionalism. -
The War of 1812 Begins
The war begins, and the Federalist party, well known for its support of the British, is infuriated. Many members of the federalist party refuse to support the war neither physically nor financially. This was one of the first major examples of a major government party being alienated. -
The End of the War of 1812
When the war of 1812 comes to an end in with the signing of the treaty of Ghent in 1814, many American patriots are ecstatic. However, federalists still aren't pleased. Although they raise multiple reasonable points, the Federalist Party is consistently ignored, and within a few years the entire party dies out. This marks the end of an entire government party. By 1828, the Democratic party had risen into the empty space left by the closing of the Federalist party. -
The Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans was a massive victory for the early United States. This battle gained a massive amount of military respect for the US, and it allowed General John Adams to establish himself as a military and political figure in the States. This battle was also highly controversial because it happened after the official end of the war of 1812. Although this battle earned General Adams the respect of many, it's controversial nature brought some to dislike General Adams approach. -
The Depression of 1819
The Depression of 1819 (AKA the Panic of 1819) was the first financial drought ever experienced by the United States. This depression contributed to the Sectionalization of the United States, as it it led many to seek support and help from their respective sectional leaders. -
The Missouri Compromise
The Missouri compromise was a statute devised by Henry Clay. The Missouri compromise decreed that slaves could only be owned while behind a specific geographic dividing line (Parallel 36°30′ north). Southern slave owners were infuriated by the statute, because it limited their abilities. This statute contributed to the division between North and South, eventually leading to the Civil War. -
Yhe Tariff of Abominations
The Tariff of Abominations was a tax that was made to protect industry in the Northern United States, many southerners (particularly plantation owners) found this tariff to be harmful to the sales of their products. This tariff caused outrage across the south, and it further separated the two sides of the country. -
Protectionist Tariff of 1832
The second Tariff created in 1832, was designed to act as countermeasure for the conflict created by the Tariff of 1828. This tariff was somewhat successful, as it pleased some of those burned by the Tariff of Abominations. -
The Start of the Civil War
The Southern United States seceded from the National Union in 1860, and declared war only months later. This war was caused by the extreme political and ideological differences between the North and South US, with slavery being the main focus. It is widely believed that the Rise of Sectionalism contributed heavily to the separation between the two sides of the country.
