The issue of slavery was the most divisive issue in American politics during the years leading up to the Civil War. The North was increasingly opposed to slavery, while the South was determined to protect it. This led to a number of debates in Congress, including the Wilmot Proviso (1846), the Compromise of 1850, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854).
The issue of states' rights
The issue of states' rights was also a major point of contention between the North and the South. The South argued that states had the right to secede from the Union if they felt their interests were not being protected. The North, on the other hand, believed that the Union was indivisible and that states did not have the right to secede. This led to a number of debates in Congress, including the Nullification Crisis (1832-1833) and the secession crisis (1860-1861).
The issue of tariffs
The issue of tariffs was another important issue in American politics during the years leading up to the Civil War. The North favored high tariffs to protect its industries, while the South opposed high tariffs because they increased the cost of goods. This led to a number of debates in Congress, including the Tariff of 1828 and the Tariff of 1846.
The issue of westward expansion
The issue of westward expansion was also a major point of contention between the North and the South. The North wanted to expand westward to gain more territory for free states, while the South wanted to expand westward to gain more territory for slave states. This led to a number of debates in Congress, including the Oregon Question (1846) and the Mexican-American War (1846-1848).
The issue of abolition
The issue of abolition was also a major topic of debate in Congress during the years leading up to the Civil War. The abolitionist movement was gaining strength in the North, and many people were calling for the immediate end of slavery. This led to a number of debates in Congress, including the Gag Rule (1836-1844) and the Personal Liberty Laws (1850-1861).
These were just some of the many issues that were debated in Congress during the years leading up to the Civil War. These debates helped to create a deep divide between the North and the South, and ultimately led to the outbreak of war in 1861.