FACULTY OF ARTS

DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGES, LITERATURE AND CULTURAL STUDIES

BAEH 412: AMERICAN LITERATURE

CHIKUKUTU BRENDA: R203343T

TOPIC: What were the economic and political distinctions between the American North and the South in
the period leading to the American civil war 1861-65?
In the decades leading up to the American Civil War, the North and the South differed greatly in

terms of their economic systems and political ideologies. The North was driven by

industrialization and capitalism, while the South remained largely agrarian and relied heavily on

slave labor. Politically, the North favored a strong central government, while the South

advocated for states' rights and a decentralized system. These differences ultimately led to the

outbreak of war in 1861.

The economic differences between the North and the South .The North was more industrialized

and urbanized, while the South was still largely agricultural and rural. The North relied on

manufacturing and trade, while the South relied on cotton and other cash crops. These economic

differences led to different perspectives on issues like tariffs and trade, which became major

points of contention between the two regions.

The North tended to favor a strong central government and national unity, while the South was

more concerned with maintaining the sovereignty of individual states and states' rights. The

South also saw the federal government as a threat to the institution of slavery, which was a key

part of their economy. These differing political perspectives further contributed to the tensions

between the North and the South.

One of the key events was the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. Lincoln was opposed to the

expansion of slavery into the western territories, which angered many southerners. Additionally,
the secession of South Carolina from the Union in December 1860 was a major step towards

war. After that, other southern states began to secede as well. These events highlight the

growing divide between the North and the South and show how the different economic and

political systems led to conflict. In addition, these events show how slavery was a key factor in

the outbreak of the Civil War. The question of whether new states would be allowed to have

slavery was a major point of contention between the two regions.

In terms of the economy, the North had a more diverse economy that included industries like

textiles, machinery, and banking. The South, on the other hand, had a more one-dimensional

economy that was based almost entirely on cotton. This meant that the South was more

vulnerable to economic downturns, like the Panic of 1857, which led to even more tension

between the two regions. In terms of politics, the North was generally more supportive of the

federal government, while the South was more supportive of states' rights. This led to conflicts

over issues like tariffs and the Fugitive Slave Act.

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was a federal law that required citizens in Free states to help

capture and return escaped slaves to their owners in the South. This law was highly

controversial in the North, where many people opposed slavery. The Fugitive Slave Act led to

many conflicts and violent incidents, including the Christiana Riot in 1851 and the Oberlin-

Wellington Rescue in 1858. These events further divided the North and the South and helped to

push the country towards civil war.

The tensions between the North and the South eventually erupted into the American Civil War.

In April 1861, the Confederate States of America attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina, and

the Civil War began. The war lasted for four years, with the North eventually defeating the

South. The Union victory led to the abolition of slavery and the reunification of the United

States. This is a very brief summary of a very complex and tragic time in American history.

In conclusion, the differences between the North and the South were both economic and

political. The North was more industrialized and urbanized, while the South was more agrarian

and rural. The North favored a strong federal government, while the South favored states' rights.

These differences, combined with the issue of slavery, eventually led to the outbreak of the Civil

War. This conflict was devastating, but it ultimately resulted in the abolition of slavery and the

reunification of the United States.