How did attacks by abolitionists strengthened sectionalism in the south?

well basically abolitionists wanted to get rid of slavery . therefore there were many protest and such to end slavery. This strengthened sectionalism in the south because people wanted to stay true to their region and wanted to keep slavery and didn't want African Americans to have the same rights as whites.

Abolitionists wanted to get rid of slavery . And that caused  protest, to end slavery.Many people wanted to keep in the south because people wanted to stay true.