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US History
The Push & Pull of
Sectionalism & Nationalism
The North and the South emerged into two distinct regions early in American history. The
physical geography of two regions was quite diverse. The North was covered in hills and contained
rocky soil. The growing season was relatively short and the weather was unpredictable. The South was
covered in rolling plains that contained fertile soil. The growing season was much longer and the
region had warmer temperatures throughout the year. Manufacturing became the dominate force in
the northern economy and agriculture became the center of the southern economy. At times, these
differences complemented each other. For example, the South grew cotton which was transformed
into useable cloth in northern textile mills. At other times these economic differences created
tension between the two regions. The early history of the United States is marked by events that
brought the nation closer together and events that split the country apart.
The Splintering of the Nation
Many events that occurred in the early to mid 1800s threatened to tear our nation apart. The
North and the South often favored their own sectional interests over the interests of the whole
nation. In 1816 Congress issued a protective tariff. The tariff, which placed a tax on all imported
goods, was intended to encourage Americans to buy goods made in the United States (because goods
made in foreign countries would be more expensive due to the tax). Northerners benefited directly
from the tariff because most American goods were being manufactured in northern factories.
European nations were upset by the tariff when sales of their products began to decline. European
countries began buying fewer crops from the South as a form of protest. Southerners were outraged
by the protective tariff because it was hurting their region’s economy.
Southerners wanted the tariffs to be revoked, but the federal government believed that they
were necessary (and the federal government was benefiting from the increase in money it got from
the import tax). John C. Calhoun of South Carolina proposed the doctrine of nullification. The
doctrine of nullification was a political belief that states had the right to nullify (ban) any federal law
that it considered unconstitutional. The doctrine of nullification did not help to bring the country
together. Instead it encouraged states to pursue their own economic and political interests.
In 1824 regional differences led to a fierce fight over the presidency. The
Democratic-Republican Party split apart. The South backed William Crawford as their
candidate and westerners supported Henry Clay and Andrew Jackson. People from
the North supported John Quincy Adams. Jackson won a majority of the popular
votes, but none of the candidates secured enough electoral votes to be declared the
winner. As prescribed by the U.S. Constitution, the House of Representatives selected
the next president of the United States. They named John Quincy Adams as the sixth
president of the United States. The election of 1824 increased the sectional tensions
that existed in the United States.
It’s All Coming Together
The early to mid 1800s is marked by a number of events that
increased feelings of nationalism, which helped to unify the country.
In 1816, the United States’ Congress set up the second Bank of the
United States. The bank helped to promote a single currency that
would be used by all states. Using a single form of money helped
make trading between the states easier which resulted in an increase in
nationalism. In 1825, the construction of the Erie Canal came to a
close. The new canal helped to connect the western portion of the
United States to the eastern states. This allowed the states to trade
with each other much easier. Connecting the economies of these two regions promoted nationalism.
In 1823, James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States, issued a
statement that became known as the Monroe Doctrine. Monroe said that the
Americas were closed to further colonization. He warned European nations that
attempting to establish colonies in the western hemisphere would be dangerous
to their safety. Making this declaration of power to Europe, Monroe helped to
promote patriotism and helped to unify the nation.
Even issues that divided the country occasionally resulted in compromise.
The North and the South were deeply divided over the issue of slavery. This was
evident during the Constitutional Conventions when the two regions disagreed
over how slaves should be counted for purposes of taxation and representation in government. In
1820, when Missouri applied for statehood, it threatened to throw off the balance of power that
existed in Congress between the slave and free states (11 of each existed at the time). Henry Clay,
developed a compromise to help ease tensions between the two regions. Clay’s Missouri Compromise
proposed that Missouri be admitted to the Union as a slave state and Maine be admitted as a free
state, thereby maintaining the balance of power in Congress. The Missouri Compromise helped to
bring the country back together.
What do you think the word
evident means based on the context
in which the word is used in the
sentence above? ______________
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Name:
Date:
Core:
US History
Sectionalism & Nationalism:
Reflection Questions
Directions: Use the “Push & Pull of Sectionalism & Nationalism handout to answer the following questions.
Fact Check…
1. Identify the main factor that caused the economies of the North and South to develop
differently (according to the text). _______________________________________________
2. Briefly explain how that factor of the North & South resulted in the two regions developing
different economies. ____________________________________________________________
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3. Briefly describe the protective tariffs of 1816. _________________________________________
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4. Briefly explain how the protective tariffs helped the North and hurt the South.
The tariffs helped the North because: _______________________________________________
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The tariffs hurt the South because: _________________________________________________
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5. Describe the doctrine of nullification? _____________________________________________
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6. Briefly explain how the election of 1824 proved that are country was not totally unified at
that time (i.e. how is the election an example of sectionalism). _________________________
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7. True or False. Before the Bank of the United States was formed, not all states used the same
form of currency (money).
8. Explain how the Bank of the United States promoted nationalism in our country. __________
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9. Briefly explain how the Erie Canal brought the West and the East closer together (i.e.
nationalism). __________________________________________________________________
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10. Describe the Monroe Doctrine. __________________________________________________
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11. Explain how the Monroe Doctrine promoted nationalism. ________________________
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12. According to the text did the issue of slavery divide or unite the country? Explain your
response using evidence from the text. Your response should include a brief description of
the Missouri Compromise and an explanation of how it is an example of sectionalism or
nationalism.
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Name:
Date:
Core:
US History
Sectionalism & Nationalism:
Summary Time!!!
Reader Response. Write a brief summary of this reading.
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4
Advanced
 Shows a deep
understanding of the
main idea of the text
 All major details are
included and paraphrased
 Structure of summary
mirrors the structure of
the text
 Omits minor details and
unnecessary opinions
 Concludes with a
statement that deeply
connects to the main idea
3
Proficient
 Shows a clear
understanding of the
main idea of the text
 Most major details are
included and paraphrased
 Structure of the summary
is very similar to the
structure of the text
 Contains no/few minor
details and unnecessary
opinions
 Concludes with a
statement that clearly
connects to the main idea
2
Developing
 Shows a basic
understanding of the
main idea of the text
 Some major details are
included (may be in
author’s words)
 Structure of the summary
is somewhat similar to
the structure of the text
 Some minor details and
irrelevant opinions
included
 Concludes with a
statement that somewhat
connects to the main idea
1
Beginning
 Shows little/no
understanding of the
main idea of the text
 Few major details are
included and/or may be
inaccurate
 Ideas in summary not
presented in the same
format as the text
 Includes many minor
details and unnecessary
opinions
 Conclusion is missing or
does not connect to main
idea