Prior to the Civil War, America was divided into 5 categories:

1. Radical Northern Republicans said slavery is wrong – end it now. They believed all human lives, on or off the plantation, were equal, created in the image of God. This group even included the fringe John Brown who shot a slave owners.

2. Moderate Republicans said slavery is wrong but the country should transition out of it gradually over time.

3 Practical Neutral Voters only cared about jobs, wages, tariffs, taxes and the economy.

4. Moderate Southern Democrats said slavery is wrong but the nation should live with it – just treat your slaves nice.

5. Extreme Southern Democrats said slavery is good and should be expanded into new Territories and States. They wanted Northerners who were morally opposed to slavery to be forced to participate in supporting it through the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.

Interestingly, these are similar to the categories America is divided into today:

1. Pro-Life Republicans say abortion is wrong – end it now. They believed all human lives, in or out of the womb, are equal, created in the image of God.

2. Establishment Republicansreluctantly agree to gradual limitations on abortion.

3. Practical Neutral Voters avoid social issues – “It’s the economy, stupid.”

4. Pro-Choice Democrats want abortion to stay legal, just have it be safe, rare and few.

5. Extreme Democrats believe that abortion is good and want to expand it globally through United Nations’ initiatives, include it in nationalized healthcare, sell aborted baby body parts, and force those morally opposed to abortion to participate in supporting it, even suing the Little Sisters of the Poor.