Source A: The North and South's Growing Divide

"The United States is increasingly divided along sectional lines. The North, with its industrial economy, favors tariffs and free labor, while the South, reliant on agriculture, defends states' rights and the extension of slavery. These differences have created a profound sense of alienation, making compromise difficult and escalating tensions. The issue of slavery in new territories and states further deepens the divide, threatening the unity of the nation. Many in the South believe their way of life is under threat from Northern policies, while Northerners see the South’s stance on slavery as morally wrong and economically backward. This growing sectionalism fuels political conflicts, such as debates over tariffs and states' rights, that push the nation closer to conflict. The crisis over slavery and economic differences has become a defining feature of American politics, making war increasingly likely if these issues are unresolved."* Provenance: Anonymous political essay, circa 1860, published in a Northern newspaper.