Antebellum America

Antebellum America refers to the period before the Civil War (roughly 1820–1860), characterized by rapid growth, expanding territories, and increasing tensions over slavery and states’ rights. It was a time of economic development, especially in the South with plantation agriculture, and growing industrialization in the North. This era saw social upheaval, with debates about slavery's morality and political conflicts between states' interests. These tensions ultimately contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War, marking a profound transformation in American society and governance.