Question

Why was Western Expansion & the creation of new states so significant to the beginning of the Civil War?

a) The increased availability of land led to economic opportunities and competition between free and slave states.

b) Western states played a crucial role in the Underground Railroad, intensifying tensions over slavery.

c) The discovery of gold in the West exacerbated regional conflicts over resources.

d) The creation of new states disrupted the balance of power, leading to political and social upheaval.

Answer 1

The Western Expansion and the creation of new states were significant to the beginning of the Civil War due to the economic opportunities, conflicts over resources, and the disruption of the balance of power between free and slave states.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Western Expansion and the creation of new states were significant to the beginning of the Civil War for several reasons.

1. The increased availability of land in the West led to economic opportunities and competition between free and slave states. Western territories were seen as opportunities for both sides to expand their influence and gain more political power.
2. The discovery of gold in the West exacerbated regional conflicts over resources. The gold rush attracted thousands of people to the West, leading to the rapid development of new towns, which further intensified tensions between free and slave states.
3. The creation of new states disrupted the balance of power between free and slave states. As new states were admitted to the Union, there was a constant struggle between the North and the South to gain more representation in Congress. This political and social upheaval ultimately contributed to the growing divide between the North and the South, leading to the outbreak of the Civil War.