How did escalation of hostility over slavery indicate the issue could not be settled peacefully?

Answer 1

The escalation of hostility over slavery, exemplified by events such as the violent confrontations in "Bleeding Kansas" and the raid on Harpers Ferry, demonstrated that deep-seated divisions between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions made peaceful resolution increasingly unlikely. The failure of political compromises, such as the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850, highlighted the inability of existing institutions to address the moral and economic conflicts surrounding slavery. As both sides became more entrenched and resorted to violence, it became clear that the struggle over slavery was not just a political issue but a fundamental clash of values that could only be resolved through conflict. This culminated in the outbreak of the Civil War, underscoring that the contentious nature of the debate had irrevocably polarized the nation.