Why Did the South Secede In 1860? :: American America History

Why Did the South Secede In 1860?The seeds of secession had been sown untimely in American history quite literally with the fundamental differences in agriculture and resultant adoption of slavery in the South. From early days, the bakers dozen states had grown up separately, and each had their own culture and beliefs, which were often hostile with those held in other states. The geographical and cultural differences between north and sulfur would manifest themselves at regular and alarming intervals throughout the hundred historic period following the drafting of the constitution. Tension reached a peak during the 1850s, over the proficient to hold slaves in new territories. The Wilmot Proviso of 1846, roused bitter hostilities, and vehement contention turned to physical violence during the period of Bleeding Kansas. The election of Lincoln, who the South perceived to be an abolitionist, in 1860 was the final straw, and the secession of seven Southern states followed in brie f after. Geographically, North and South were very different places. The pastures of New England were similar to those ready in England, suitable for a variety of uses. Hot Southern prairie lands were finished for cotton growing, a lucrative business at this time. Following the figure of Eli Whitneys Cotton Gin, the South became increasingly dependent on this crop, and an entire auberge grew out of it. The society was one of wealthy planters, who led a carriage similar to the landed gentry of England, run acrossling politics and society of the day. In the fields laboured Negro slaves, usually only a smattering per plantation, though larger farms were occasionally seen. In addition, there lived poor whites, inhabit farmers or smallholders, who eked out a living from the land. This contrasted sharply with Northern society, where industrialization flourished, creating wealthy entrepreneurs and employing cheap immigrant labour. Given the localised nature of media, and difficult ies of transport devil cultures grew up in the same nation, remarkably different and often jealous of one another. Crisis struck in 1820, when the North/South balance in the Senate was threatened by the application of Missouri to join forces the Union as a slave state. Southerners, aware of their numerical inferiority in the tin of Representatives, were keen to maintain their political sway, in the Senate. The North feared that if Southerners were to take control of the Senate, political deadlock would ensue. Compromise was found in 1820 when Maine applied to join as a free state, maintaining the balance.