Sectionalism: The loyalty and interests of a particular region or section of a country, often leading to disagreements and conflicts with other regions.
Slavery: The system in which individuals are treated as property and forced into labor against their will. It was a major underlying cause of conflict between the northern and southern states in the lead up to the Civil War.
States' Rights: The belief that individual states have certain powers and authority separate from the federal government. Disagreements over states' rights played a significant role in fueling tensions before the Civil War.