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What were the causes and effects that led to/came from the abolitionists and pro-slavery beliefs in their own moral ideologies.

Some Causes for this belief can be seen in the philosophy of "Manifest Destiny." This was the idea of racial superiority, which effectively meant the whites were inherently better, thus assisting the belief of pro-slavery (340-341). Many southerners also claimed it was better conditions than the northern factory, and that was good for the slaves, as seen in The Pro-Slavery Argument by James C. Calhoun (358). A cause of the abolition mindset were various political beliefs which allied themselves with the thought of a mutual freedom such as the Free-Soil Party (357). Each of these groups' perceived moral superiority led to many conflicts, such as the nature of newly added states from the westward expansion. This included things like the Wilmot Proviso (which prohibited slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico), and the "Popular sovereignty" which allowed each new territory to decide for themselves (351). This tension Is also the major reason for the civil war, the conflict between the more abolitionist/free north and pro-slavery south.
general theme page numbers:
340, 341, 351, 355, 356, 357, 358, 360, 361
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how did both the north and south feel about the the other side's power to manipulate the federal government and legislate against the other?

This was a divisive topic as, much like the political parties except on a whole new level. This would determine the major factor in the livelihood of much of the population, as most of the southern economy relied heavily on slaves. A great example of this perspective is seen in the emergence of Lincoln. During the congressional race between Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas. This was between the indifferent Douglas (who was, however, against black citizenship) and the passionately antislavery Lincoln. And while Douglas ended up winning the election the debates favored Lincoln and led to democrats losing ground in most states. The Democrats retained the senate but lost the house, which resulted in the congressional sessions of 1858 and 1859 being caustically deadlocked (359-360).

General theme page numbers:
346, 347, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361

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to what extent and how did the shift of pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces to more extreme positions worsened the sectional crisis

The positions shifted to more extreme positions pretty drastically, for a couple different reasons. However the single most extreme and decisive factor in this time was John Brown's Raid. This is where an abolitionist zealot, who could be safely called an extremist, attacked a southern mountain fort in Harpers Ferry, Virginia. He was encouraged by multiple prominent eastern abolitionists to do so, and actually accomplished it. How ever the slave revolt he was relying on did not happen and was relatively swiftly surrounded and captured, and was hanged for his crimes. This was the single largest event in swaying the white southerners view to see that they could not safely coexist in the union with the abolitionist north (360).

General theme page number:
351, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359,

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what impacts did territorial acquisition have on intensifying sectional conflict.

Territory acquisition had a major impact on sectional conflict. This can be seen when America wants land from Mexico, and it escalates to the level of war. When Texas claimed its independence from mexico, Mexico empowered General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, and sent troops to Texas. America stepped in and helped defeat mexico, gaining a lot of land in the process. Texans wanted to be annexed into America, but northerners did not want a big slave state (342-343). Texas was just one case, however. The government (anti vs pro slavery in general) debated on the nature of the states (slave vs free) and this was a major factor in the divide that formed, as they both wanted a majority of these states (351).

General theme page numbers:
340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 351, 355