Final answer:
Slavery was a significant cause of the sectional conflict in the United States, though it was not the only factor. The North and the South had differing economic systems and moral viewpoints on slavery, which led to increased tensions. The expansion of slavery into new territories also played a role in deepening the divide between the two regions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sectional conflict in the United States in the mid-19th century was primarily caused by a combination of factors, with slavery being one of the most significant ones. While there were other factors involved, such as economic differences between the North and the South and disagreements over states' rights, the institution of slavery was at the heart of the conflict.
Slavery created profound divisions between the North and the South, both economically and morally. The Northern states developed an industrial economy and advocated for the abolition of slavery, viewing it as a violation of human rights. In contrast, the Southern states heavily relied on a plantation-based agricultural economy that relied on enslaved labor.
The disagreement over the expansion of slavery into new territories further escalated tensions. The North opposed the expansion of slavery, as it would strengthen the political power of the slaveholding states. This led to conflicts such as Bleeding Kansas and the Dred Scott decision.
Learn more about the role of slavery in the sectional conflict