APUSH 4.3 Politics and Regional Interests

Slavery expanded in southern states and into newly added western states during the early 1800s
Many northern states ended slavery through state laws or state constitutional amendments
This creates a rise in sectionalism, the increased distinction and rivalry between two regions
In 1820, a balance has been reached between slave and free states, 11 each
- Missouri applies to be a new state, and the debate is very bitter because either way, it will break the equilibrium
- This will also mean that whatever it ends up as will have a majority in the senate
- Henry Clay proposes the Missouri Compromise

Missouri will enter as a slave state, and Maine will enter as a free state
From here on out, the 36-30 latitude line would determine the slave-status of new states
- Below it, and you had be a slave state
- Above it, and you had to be a free state
It may seem like the free states are getting much more territory, but the slave holders would never move into all that area anyway…
- If cotton or tobacco can’t grow there, slave owners don’t care, which is the kind of land above that line
- That area would be populated by free workers and would end up as a free state anyway, so the South is not upset but getting less potential territory
Although this stops the fighting, it still doesn’t show the federal government making a final decision

Dred Scott v Stanford (1856)
- Ruled that slave owners are entitled to keep their “property” in any state, even if they move to a free one
Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)
- Slavery decisions would be made in new states by popular sovereignty
- This voids the Missouri Compromise, showing how it was a temporary resolution

Following the War of 1812
New, revitalized nationalism
New manufacturing efforts
- People are looking for economic progress on the world market
Limited Federalist opposition to the Democratic Republicans
- The Federalist party had essentially self-destructed because they were so opposed to this war
- The war ended up going very well and so everyone started doubting any opinion and stance from the Federalists

Protection of new American Factories
Wanted people to buy American goods
Made imports more expensive so that people wouldn’t buy goods from foreign countries

Establishing a Bank of the United States
Instating strong tariffs to protect American manufacturing
- Not everyone was happy about this one because it makes goods more expensive for consumers
- All the manufacturing is in the North, as well, so some accuse him of protecting just one region
The federal government would fund “internal improvements”
- This would include infrastructure like roads, canals, and railroads, focusing on transportation
This is very uncharacteristic for a Democratic-Republican whose regular values would be state power and protecting agriculture
- Sounds like something a federalist would say…
He gives a speech over three days in support of his ideas
Portions were enacted but some did not pass