The result of the historical debates in the pre-Civil War U.S. regarding states' rights was a deepening division between Northern and Southern states. Central issues included the extent of federal versus state authority, particularly concerning slavery, which Southern states sought to protect. These debates intensified with events such as the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850, highlighting conflicts over whether new territories should permit slavery. Ultimately, these tensions contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War, as differences over states' rights versus federal power became irreconcilable, leading to a profound national crisis.