When the states united to form a national government, they could not
             envision the far-reaching changes that would overtake the continent in the
             next 100 years. The seeds sown in colonial times resulted in cultures of
             people as different as the landscapes they inhabited. This and the
             incredible growth of an ever more-educated population pushed their
             diversity to a breaking point. Could the weak union withstand the powerful
             divisions of economic necessity and manifest destiny as a single nation, or
             would issues such as slavery, inhibited economic development, discouraged
             education, and states rights shatter the dream' The answer would come in
             How will we live' The South, with its lush climate and vast tracts
             of fertile land was perfect for large plantations. The major cash crops
             were tobacco and cotton. "Cotton from the American south, grown mostly by
             slave labor, furnished three-fourths of the world's supply" before the
             1850's. Southern staples provided three-fifths of all American exports,
             earning foreign exchange that played an important part in American economic
             growth" (McPherson 39). The Western territories beckoned with promises
             prosperity and wealth. However, as the south envisioned expansion of their
             way of life into the west, the northern states were having increasing
             difficulty reconciling the freedoms promised in the Constitution with the
             At the same time that the South developed a master/slave mentality,
             the North extended more freedoms to its population. The work force was
             diverse and well educated. The free laborer was not a slave to his job
             because he could take his talents where they would lead him. He had the
             opportunity to advance his station to one of ownership. In addition, the
             structure of the family was changing during this time. As the male
             population became more involved with business and labor, women took the
             ...