Final answer:
The 'great experiment' of American democracy before 1861 saw significant growth in self-rule and innovation, but was limited by economic instability, regional disputes, and the divisive issue of slavery, which contributed to the eventual disunion and Civil War.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 'great experiment' in American society before 1861 refers to the practice of self-governing democracy which began in the early colonies in the 1600s, encouraged by the distance from British rule and a period of salutary neglect. This foundation of self-rule expanded significantly with the onset of the revolutionary spirit and was characterized by an extraordinary period of entrepreneurship and technological innovation. However, the experiment faced limitations, including economic volatility, sectional disputes, and the deep societal divide caused by the institution of slavery. For instance, Shay's Rebellion highlighted deficiencies in the Articles of Confederation, and despite attempts to minimize sectional differences, issues like trade, tariffs, and slavery led to growing regional discord that the system of governance was ill-equipped to manage, eventually culminating in disunion and the Civil War.