Effect of Terrirorial Expansion 1800-1850

Between 1800 and 1850, the United States was a nation sprawling outwards in all possible ways. Although this territorial expansion added vast amounts of land to the infant nation, it also drove a wedge between the peoples of the United States. Territorial expansion destroyed national unity due to the outstanding views on slavery, debate over newly acquired territory, and the sectionalism of the nation.

On the surface, the logical classifications for the debate over slavery would be pro and anti slavery. This is not the case as there were many further divisions on both sides. The end result was further disunion between the seemingly same groups. One such division was the female abolitionists, along with abolition they believed in women’s rights. These women suffered from stiff and often violent opposition. Another example of such disunion was the difference between white and black abolition. White abolitionists often believed that it wasn’t