"From protective tariffs to the expansionist agenda, this work illustrates the ways in which the foremost issues of the time influenced relations between the North and the South"--Provided by publisher.

Slavery and its impact on sectionalism (1619 to 1830) -- The rise and fall of abolitionism (1750 to 1848) -- Economic protectionism (1815 to 1828) -- "Old Hickory" comes to Washington (1829 to 1832) -- The bank war and southern nullification (1832 to 1834) -- The turbulent years (1834 to 1836) -- The panic and sub-treasuries (1837 to 1840) -- John Tyler and Texas too (1840 to 1845) -- The expansionist agenda (1845 to 1846) -- Territorial sectionalism (1846 to 1847) -- A time to compromise (1847 to 1850) -- Sectional politics (1850 to 1853) -- Filibusters (1849 to 1860) -- The Kansas-Nebraska Act (1852 to 1854) -- Political realignment (1854 to 1856) -- The fight for Kansas (1854 to 1858) -- From Brown to Lincoln (1856 to 1860) -- The end of the road (1860 to 1861).