Rank the factors in the 1850s that caused sectional hatred in the order of their importance.

When you say "factors," I assume that you mean events.  I
will identify some events from the 1850s that had a great deal to do with causing
sectional hatred.

To me, the most important factor was the
Kansas-Nebraska Act.  This act reopened the issue of slavery in areas where it had
supposedly been settled by the Missouri Compromise.  The fighting in Kansas caused a
great deal of hatred between the sections.  A major example of this is how it destroyed
the national political parties and created smaller political parties with support in
only one section or the other.

Other factors included, in
descending order of importance

• The Dred Scott
  decision which took away Congress's ability to compromise over the issue of slavery in
  the territories.


• The Fugitive Slave
  Act.


• John Brown's attack on Harper's
  Ferry.


• Preston Brooks' attack on Charles Sumner in
  Congress.