The issue of Westward expansion such as the issue of Missouri, Texas and Nebraska were clearly a key reason for conflict with in the union in the year 1820-1854. However there we other factors like slavery expansion and state vs. federal. The sources illustrate this to different degrees. Sources A, C,B and E can be grouped as they discuss that westward expansion is the main cause which supports the statement but it is E that does so most strongly. Sources C and A can be further linked as they touch on other factors that were important such as slavery. Whilst source D provides an opposing view that westward expansion was the main cause of conflict because it argues Slavery and the abolitionist movement was the reason for conflict within the union.
Sources A, B, C and E all link to westward expansion however it is E that fully agrees to the statement. Source E strongly agrees with the statement because it is talking about the territory in particular the territory of Nebraska for example is says ‘Vast unoccupied region’ this shows that Nebraska was a problem and was making politics sectional. It also mentions ‘vast territory yet exempt from these terrible evils’ this is suggesting that the Nebraska territory is all part of the slave power conspiracy which Douglas was now part of as he substituted the Missouri Compromise for popular sovereignty which angered the North as it could lead to the expansion of slavery. This can be shown in source E from when it says ‘violation of a sacred pledge, as a criminal betrayal’ the scared pledge is the Missouri compromise in addition the criminal betrayal is the slave power conspiracy. The betrayer is Douglas as he was thought now to be a part of it alongside with pierce. Douglas is a key player is Source E as well as in source C as he was part of the Missouri compromise. However, in source C he helped to sort a problem whereas in