Answer:
The correct answer is C: Northern states wanted to abolish slavery, while southern states wanted slavery to spread to new territories.
Step-by-step explanation:
The issue of slavery was a major cause of division in the United States during the 1850s, as northern states generally opposed slavery and southern states relied on it as a key part of their economy. This disagreement led to tensions between the North and South and ultimately contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861.