Final answer:
Sectionalism fueled the Civil War due to political, economic, and social divides, particularly the North's industrial economy versus the South's slavery-based agrarian economy, which led to irreconcilable conflicts and tensions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sectionalism was indeed one of the causes of the Civil War. This can be observed through the lens of political, economic, and social divides that impeded unity across the United States. Sectionalism, in essence, is the exaggerated loyalty to a particular region or section of the country, over and above the nation as a whole. This loyalty led to serious conflicts of interest, particularly between the North and the South.
The correct answer to why sectionalism was one of the causes of the Civil War is (C) Sectionalism created tensions and conflicts between North and South. The economic disparities between regions, as the North developed an industrial economy while the South remained agrarian with reliance on slavery, fueled these tensions. Political representation grew contentious with concerns over the balance of power in Congress, particularly in the wake of the Dred Scott decision and the passage of controversial legislation like the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Socially, there were significant disparities in lifestyle, values, and norms. These sectional divisions ultimately made compromise untenable, leading to a disunion that sparked the Civil War.
Learn more about Sectionalism here: