USA in 1776-1865 as a House Divided Against Itself - Essay Example

Political representation was another cause of the division between the Free States and the Slave States. Politicians between the Free states and slave states were concerned about the power balance in the Senate. The politicians were appealing that every state should be represented by two members of the state and more importantly, there should be an equal number of free states and slave states.  Resistance became violent when the population of Free States became more than that of slave states in the House of Representatives (Farmer, 213).

Abolitionist movements were also a contributing factor to the division of Americans. In the year 1830, individuals who wanted to see various institutions abolished within the US started becoming more influential and strident. These individuals claimed they preferred obedience to higher law over having obedience to a constitution. When the constitution was passed, it made some explicit mention of slavery. It allowed slaves to be counted as a third of a person. This activity was meant to determine the representation, as well as the population in the House of Representatives. This Act was not supported by everybody especially individuals residing in slave states.

The resistance turned out to be more severe to bring more slave states. For instance, resisters sought to make Missouri a slave state. Instead of making the region a slave state, a Missouri compromise was developed. Missouri Compromise was a federal law that regulated slavery in the western US territories. The law, passed in 1820 restricted slavery in the northern region in the former Louisiana Territory. The only areas that were allowed to conduct slavery were the boundary of Missouri State (Lowance, 85).

Most Americans apprehended the agreement to be an indispensable compromise in almost every aspect. Despite the fact that the war still happened later in 1861, the Missouri compromise helped in postponing the way by reducing the resistance between individuals from various states. The main dispute was involving competition for power in the Congress and control of future territories between the northern states and the southern states.

In 1860, Abraham Lincoln led in opposing the expansion of slavery into the US territories claiming that the house cannot divide itself. Abraham Lincoln mentioned this after evaluating the disunion that was being created by slavery. Lincoln expressed the moral opposition to slavery in public and in private. His speech contributed considerably to the end of the various divisions among the Americans.

To recap, division due to various resistances made the situation be described as a house divided against itself. There were rivalries between the Free states and slave states. As each side pushed for its ideas, Abraham Lincoln noticed the division effect and delivered a speech that encouraged the end of the conflict.