How did the question of slavery cause growing tensions before the Civil War? Select the two that apply.
The question of slavery caused growing tensions before the Civil War primarily due to:
1. Moral and ideological differences: The issue of slavery created a deeply divided nation, with many in the North strongly opposed to the institution of slavery on moral and ethical grounds. These individuals believed that slavery was a violation of basic human rights and went against the principles of equality and freedom upon which the United States was founded. In contrast, many in the South defended slavery as a necessary economic and social institution, arguing that it was vital to their way of life and the economic success of the region.
2. Political and economic disputes: Slavery also created significant political and economic tensions between the North and the South. The North viewed slavery as a threat to their economic and political interests, particularly as the country expanded westward. They believed that the expansion of slavery into new territories would only further entrench the power of the slaveholding South and potentially undermine their own economic and political influence. This led to bitter debates over issues such as the extension of slavery into new states and the balance of power between free and slave states.