The American Civil War was not inevitable, but by the time tensions between North and South had reached a certain level in the months before war was declared, it probably could not be avoided. The roots of separation between the North and the South can actually be traced back to the early colonial period. Some of the cleavages after 1850 were embodied in the developing Federalist Party representing the mercantile interests of the North and the Republican Party representing the agrarian interests of the South. The two regions had different philosophies of government. Originally, the coastal region wanted little government interference, while the people of the interior wanted government protection. These philosophies shifted with time until the South was the region opposing government interference and the North was more willing to seek government control and protection. In addition, economic issues were a source of dissension between the two regions, especially in terms of the exercise of constitutional power by the central government in economic matters. Problems erupted between the older and more newly settled portions of states, and only the federal government could solve these issues, such as the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794. The conflict between North and South over ideology was framed in terms of nationalism versus sectionalism, and the South was a sectionalism region that wanted to have its own rules and government. The nullification controversy highlighted this issue as South Carolina in 1832 declared the tariff laws null and void:
This doctrine asserted that a state could refuse to allow laws it deemed unconstitutional to be executed within its borders (Hofstadter 251).
President Jackson responded with the threat of force.
Though the issue was settled in piecemeal fashion over the years, the underlying conflict remained. Slavery was an issue, but it was not the only issue. Northern manufacturers and growers s...