How did the Mexican-American War lead to greater sectionalism within the United States government?

Question

Responses

A Tensions rose over cotton and tobacco production in Texas and how these goods would be distributed in the U.S. markets. Tensions rose over cotton and tobacco production in Texas and how these goods would be distributed in the U.S. markets.

B Many Republicans did not support the war with Mexico, creating tension in the House and Senate as James K. Polk promoted the war. Many Republicans did not support the war with Mexico, creating tension in the House and Senate as James K. Polk promoted the war.

C There was great tension between pro-slavery and anti-slavery representatives over how new territories won would handle the issue of slavery.There was great tension between pro-slavery and anti-slavery representatives over how new territories won would handle the issue of slavery.

D Many American settlers in the West did not support the war because they wanted to be exempt from paying taxes to the United States government. Many American settlers in the West did not support the war because they wanted to be exempt from paying taxes to the United States government.

Answer 1

The most accurate response regarding how the Mexican-American War led to greater sectionalism within the United States government is:

C There was great tension between pro-slavery and anti-slavery representatives over how new territories won would handle the issue of slavery.

The war resulted in significant territorial gains for the United States, particularly from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, which raised critical questions about the extension of slavery into those newly acquired territories. This debate intensified sectional rivalries, as the North and South had starkly different views on the expansion of slavery, leading to increased conflict in Congress and contributing to the tensions that would eventually lead to the Civil War.