The North's was against slavery in the South and did not want to see it expanded to the Western states and territories because its leaders saw economic and political advantages in leaving those areas open to settlement by farmers and the working class. The North did not need slaves to support their agriculture. The North viewed slavery as a moral issue, degrading and cruel. The South on the other hand wanted to protect its influence in the federal government. Therefore, a balance should be kept between free and slave states as the Union expanded. Southerners needed slaves to su…
