Introduction
The period from 1840 to 1850 in American historical development is famous for cardinal political changes, and some territories determined the political decision-making mechanism. America became polarized by a particular regional identity. Political battles, compromises, negotiations, and institutional problems catalyzed the Civil War. The U.S. territories significantly impacted the political order and landscape within the country in the 1840s and 1850s.
Political Influences on the American Division
Political tensions among U.S. regions in the mid-19th century significantly adjusted how development initiatives were carried out. It is known that the South was pro-slavery, while the North held abolitionist sentiments (A Nation Divided 1). The U.S. expanded its territories through annexation, warfare, and negotiation, spreading its ideology that America had a special destiny (Overview of the Pre-Civil War Era 1). The newly acquired Mexican territory led to the Compromise of 1850, which was able to settle domestic unrest but also contributed to the national debate over slavery (A Nation Divided 1). Each region pursued its own line and insisted on implementing its principles, subsequently leading to the Civil War.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 and its “national sovereignty” provision resolved some questions about slavery in the territory but did not clarify the two warring regions (Gallagher 1). The Northern states guaranteed individual liberty for everyone and sought to create a capitalist state with solid centralized authority. In contrast, politicians in the South held conservative views. Some planters owned vast tracts of farmland and used enslaved people to work them.
The Northern states were populated by free immigrants, and the South by enslaved people imported from abroad. This resulted in only a quarter of the Southern states’ population having the right to vote by the early 1860s. Southerners feared that with this dynamic, all controversial political issues in Congress would be decided in favor of the North by a majority vote. In addition, the central government located in the North sought to extend its influence to all states, while the Southern territories wished to retain local self-government.
Conclusion
In conclusion, one should note that the territories shaped the country’s political landscape in the 1840s and 1850s, not only in the context of questions about slavery but also disagreements over views on social and economic formation. Concepts of the North and the South differed radically, each region imposing its own conservative or progressive views. Therefore, these moments subsequently spilled over into the Civil War.
Works Cited
“A Nation Divided: The Political Climate of 1850s America.” Omeka. Web.
Gallagher, Gary. “Politics Before the American Civil War.” Wondrium Daily, 2019. Web.
“Overview of the Pre-Civil War Era.” Digital History. Web.