Question

Before the Civil War began, which issue played the GREATEST role in increasing tension and conflict between northern and southern states? Responses A northern opposition to the Tariff of 1832northern opposition to the Tariff of 1832 B westward expansion and the issue of how to seize land owned by the Native Americanswestward expansion and the issue of how to seize land owned by the Native Americans C westward expansion and the issue of whether slavery would be allowed in the new territorieswestward expansion and the issue of whether slavery would be allowed in the new territories D the Indian Removal Act, the "Trail of Tears," and the creation of Indian reservations in Oklahoma

Answer 1

The issue that played the GREATEST role in increasing tension and conflict between northern and southern states before the Civil War was **C. westward expansion and the issue of whether slavery would be allowed in the new territories**. This debate over the extension of slavery into new territories as the nation expanded westward was a significant factor contributing to the sectional tensions that ultimately led to the Civil War. Key events such as the Missouri Compromise, the Compromise of 1850, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act were directly tied to this issue and heightened the division between the North and South.