Final answer:
The eastern half of the Mississippi Territory had more political power than the western half due to factors such as the sectional struggle over slavery, differing views on social mobility between the North and the South, and the impact of the gold rush in California.
Step-by-step explanation:
The eastern half of the Mississippi Territory had more political power than the western half for a few major reasons:
- In the early 1800s, the Ohio River Valley, which is in the western half, became a fault line in the sectional struggle over slavery. Free states were admitted along the river's northern banks while slave states emerged in the region. The creation of laws, such as the 'Black Laws,' that excluded African Americans from participating in society, contributed to the political power imbalance.
- In the late 1840s and early 1850s, political leaders struggled to balance the interests of their constituents and maintain national unity. Views on social mobility differed significantly between the North and the South. Northerners sought small family homesteads for self-sufficiency, while southerners wanted the opportunity to acquire more land and slaves. This difference further widened the political divide.
- The discovery of gold in California in 1848 brought a rapid influx of people to the region. The gold rush shifted the balance of power and led to California's consideration for statehood. The resulting debates on the extension of slavery intensified the sectional conflict.