Antebellum America refers to the period in the United States before the Civil War, roughly from the 1820s to 1861. This era was marked by significant social, economic, and political changes, including the rise of the abolitionist movement, which sought to end slavery, and the expansion of westward expansion as settlers moved into new territories. During this time, the economy was largely agrarian in the South, relying heavily on slave labor for cotton production, while the North experienced rapid industrialization. Tensions grew between the North and South over issues like states' rights and slavery, setting the stage for the impending conflict.