Passing laws banning slavery in the northern states contributed to a more divided nation primarily because it highlighted and intensified the existing sectional tensions between the North and the South. Here's a breakdown of how this division manifested through the choices you provided:
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Slavery was now outlawed across the nation creating a deeper division: This statement is somewhat misleading, as slavery was not outlawed across the nation but rather in the northern states. However, the fact that slavery was abolished in the North while remaining entrenched in the South reinforced the divide. The North's rejection of slavery contrasted sharply with the South's reliance on it, fostering a sense of animosity and differing social, economic, and moral values.
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Northern farmers were concerned about the economic impact of outlawing slave labor: While this reflects concerns for some agricultural interests in the North, the economic implications of slavery primarily affected the South, where plantation agriculture depended on slave labor. In the North, the movement away from slavery was often seen as a moral imperative, but it did lead to economic shifts that could create further tension.
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It increased demand for indentured servants in New England: This statement is not entirely accurate. While there were historical precedents for indentured servitude, the ban on slavery did not directly lead to an increase in indentured servitude in New England. The focus was more on free labor and the growth of wage labor, rather than a return to or increase in indentured servitude.
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Plantation owners argued that their plantations would fail without slavery: This was a significant argument made by Southern plantation owners. The economic reliance on slavery not only justified its continuation but also deeply entrenched Southern society's commitment to the institution. Southern leaders framed the abolitionist movement in the North as a direct threat to their way of life, further deepening the ideological and political divide between the regions.
Ultimately, the laws banning slavery in the North exacerbated the divisions by creating contrasting social systems and moral landscapes, leading to growing animosity and conflict over the institution of slavery that would culminate in the Civil War.