The early industrialization and westward expansion of American were great contributors to the mounting sectional tension occurring throughout the nation. Contributing to the horrors was the development of the economy before the Civil War. The country was growing at a rate that surpassed the level of toleration it could take without violence ensuing. Early industrialization in America was due to the ingenuity and vigor that is bread into the fabric of America. The invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney and other technological transformations gave the nation a sense for the need of relentless advancement. Being the best was found in the people who were shaping America into a nation growing out of its bounds. Increasing the technology only enhanced the problems and conflicts that were occurring during the time period and were a direct cause of what would become the culmination of the sectional conflicts-the Civil War.

            Expanding into the west was the new venture of a nation tempting its limitations. Seeking out the new frontier was a picture of what the nation was becoming: taking on the unknown is good to an extent, but when that desire overwhelms the nation and takes control, and then problems occur. A perfect example of this is the situation in Texas and the interlude with the natives of the lands the Americans were overrunning. In Texas, a component of Mexico, there was an upheaval of mainly Americans who were seeing the brothers take on new adventures without limits. After seeking independence, the Mexicans cried foul against the Americans for entering in on the behalf of the Texans. They felt it necessary to aid those who believed in separating themselves from the shackles of Mexico so they could seek the same democratic liberties and freedoms associated with America. On the other side of the coin of expansion was the harsh treatment forced upon the Indians. As America was marching West, the natives could only attempt to defend their lands against a superior military force with the eyes full of desire. The trail of tears was witness to some of the harshest treatment against the natives. Forcing them out of their homes, culture, and way of life into something concocted by the American government in an effort to make the lives of Americans easier was promoting the negative aspects of their growth.

            Tensions were beginning to rise and heat up as the technology was making their westward march more rapid. Issues of slavery and sectional dealings were clouding the political arena and creating tension that was mounting to something uncontrollable. The coincidental expansion of the country geographically and politically were occurring at the same time. Unfortunately, they were increasing at different rates and were not compatible with one another. The Kansas-Nebraska Act formally brought forth the issue of slavery to the political arena. After all that time, the true cause of ill will was placed on the table and forced to the forefront. All of the factors, the economy and expansion, set the stage for the sectional tensions that would not be able to be resolved without a violent altercation.

Before the Civil War the United States was looking for ways to develop the American economy.  Some of these events brought positive outcomes, such as the desire for Americans to expand westward.  However, other events caused feelings of separation within the United States because of different opinions on slavery.  Sectional tension rose with the worries about tariffs.  Along with the development of the American economy came sectional hostilities and westward expansion.  

The “abominable” Tariff of 1828 was an economic development that caused an increase in sectional tension between South Carolina and the rest of the United States.  People in South Carolina worked very hard to try to get the two-thirds vote to nullify this tariff in their legislature.  Congress then passed the new Tariff of 1832, which was still not what South Carolina wanted.  The “Nullies” continued to push for nullification of this tariff.  In the state election of 1832, they were able to obtain the necessary two-thirds vote, causing the Tariff of 1832 to be void in South Carolina.  The assemblage still went a step further, allowing the state to make any necessary military preparations and to also threaten to leave the Union if they were forced to pay customs duties.  President Andrew Jackson, although angry, promised to uphold the union.  He then sent moderate military reinforcements to South Carolina.  Jackson also had a proclamation war with South Carolina’s ex-senator Hayne.  This event could have easily ended in a civil war if it were not for the help of Henry Clay.  The United States government, attempting to further develop the American economy, caused tensions to grow between the government and South Carolina.

            When President Andrew Jackson would not allow the Bank of the United States to be rechartered in 1832, Jackson allowed western expansion to be a little easier.  This bank was very anti-western and caused problems for the “wildcat banks” of the west.  These banks helped the western expansion to be paid for.  Even though the bank of the United States did not promote westward expansion, it did help the economy.  Another part of this that harmed the west was when Jackson allowed the treasury to force people to use metallic money to buy public lands.  This caused there to be hard times for the West, leading to bad feelings toward the government.  

            Texas had both feelings of westward expansion and sectional tension present in it.  The settlement of Texas was another example of westward expansion, since the people who went to Texas were all Americans.  When Texas tried to be admitted into the Union, more tension between slave states and free states came forth, since people who owned slaves inhabited Texas.  Texas then searched for support from European countries, causing European influences to be back in America.

            The United States of America desired to improve their economy in the years before the Civil War.  Some of their actions caused the United States to be able to expand towards the west.  Others caused tensions between the states and the government.  All of these events led to the eventual Civil War.  

            The development of the pre-Civil War economy was directly related to the westward movement and increasing sectional conflict because Americans were getting richer and they could afford to invest in new industries in the West. Sectional conflict heightened because each region had different economies and interests. The South was mainly agricultural, the North specialized in manufacturing and the West was still developing.