America: The Story of Us (2010)

S1E4 Division

As the new nation flourishes, it has emerged as one of the richest on the planet, thanks in large part to commerce and industry. The Erie Canal presents both great opportunities and significant dangers. Meanwhile, in the South, the cotton trade reigns supreme, but the reliance on slavery intensifies the rift between regions. Tensions rise with outbreaks of violence in the territories, and abolitionists rally for emancipation. The election of Lincoln signals a looming conflict on the horizon.