“Sectionalism was the main cause of the Civil War.” Discuss.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that sectionalism was the main cause of the Civil War. A comparative approach may or may not be used. Sectionalism was the divide between the northern states and the southern states, where all issues were seen as benefitting one but not the other. This divide was the result of disagreements over the expansion of slavery, tariffs and the enforcement of fugitive slave laws. Other examples of sectionalism could be the Wilmot Proviso, the Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas–Nebraska Act. While other causes, such as economic differences, cultural differences, the issue of states’ rights and slavery, may be referred to, the bulk of the response will remain on the issue raised by the question. Candidates may agree, partly agree or disagree with the statement.