Geography caused country to develop economic differences?
Dred Scott v. Sanford Compromise of 1850 Sectionalism Kansas-Nebraska Act
Geography played a significant role in the development of economic differences among regions in the United States. The North was primarily characterized by its industrial economy, with abundant natural resources such as coal and iron that allowed for the establishment of factories and manufacturing industries. The South, on the other hand, relied heavily on agriculture, particularly cotton production, due to its fertile soil and warm climate.
These economic differences were further exacerbated by political factors such as the Dred Scott v. Sanford decision, which deemed African Americans ineligible for citizenship and reinforced the institution of slavery in the South. The Compromise of 1850 also deepened the divide between the North and South by addressing issues such as the expansion of slavery into new territories. Additionally, the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 further heightened sectional tensions by allowing settlers in Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery, leading to violent conflicts in the region.
Overall, geography, along with political decisions and sectionalism, played a crucial role in shaping the economic differences between the North and South in the years leading up to the Civil War.